Can DNA damage from sun exposure be measured in your urine after being away on sun holiday?

The Danish Research Center for Skin Cancer and The Danish Cancer Society have teamed up to investigate whether DNA damage from UV radiation can be measured in urine after being away on sun holiday.

The project is based on a new method developed by researchers at the Danish Research Center for Skin Cancer at Bispebjerg Hospital in collaboration with Waters Corporation, that can measure biomarkers related to DNA damage caused by the sun in urine. This method is used for the scientific experiment with approx. 20 Danes, all of whom are going away on sun holiday in February 2023. In addition, the project will look at how participants react to personal biofeedback after coming back from holiday and how it influences their perception of risk in relation to developing skin cancer.

For the experiment, urine samples are collected before and after going on holiday, as well as data on the participants' time spend in the sun. The data comes from a so-called SunSaver, which the holiday-goers must wear outside during their holiday. The Sunsaver measures how much ultraviolet light they receive from the sun. At the same time, the participants must keep a logbook in which they note how much clothing they have worn outdoors during the day, whether they have used sunscreen and, if so, which SPF. When the participants return from their holiday, they will be interviewed and get the urine test results. 

The project findings will be published in a scientific article when the experiment is finished.