Skin cancer phototype: A new classification directly related to skin cancer and based on responses from 2869 individuals

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Fitzpatrick phototype (FST) classification (based on ability to tan and tendency to burn) is widely used for evaluating skin cancer risk; however, it was not developed for that purpose and has been criticised scientifically. The purpose of the present study was a first approach in establishing a new skin cancer phototype (SCP) classification with direct relation to skin cancer risk, based on the questions originally proposed by Fitzpatrick. However, contrary to Fitzpatrick, the questions are in the present study kept separate.

METHODS: Validated information on skin cancer and answers about participants' tendency to burn (4 answers) and ability to tan (4 answers) were obtained from 2869 Danes. The 16 (4 × 4 answers) possible answers formed a matrix, on which a logistic regression was carried out. Successively, the matrix neighbours which were insignificantly different were identified; of which the neighbours with the mutual lowest difference were merged. The merging resulted in four different SCP classes.

RESULTS: There was a linear relationship between SCP classes and skin cancer risk. Further, SCP was as good a predictor of skin cancer as objectively measured skin phototype.

CONCLUSION: As skin phototype is an important factor in skin cancer research, SCP has great potential in investigative studies of skin cancer risk.