Photographer : dipster @ flickr
According to The Cancer Council NSW, about one in two people who grow up in Australia will develop some kind of skin cancer, and more than 1600 Australians die from melanoma each year—the most dangerous form of skin cancer.
The major cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and other sources, such as solariums. UV radiation can also cause sunburn, skin ageing, and eye and immune system damage.
When UV radiation hits our skin, the top layer of the skin releases chemicals that cause the blood vessels to swell and leak fluids, causing inflammation, pain and redness. This type of damage can occur in as little as 15 minutes and continue to develop for 1–3 days after exposure to the sun.
On the other hand, research has shown that limited sun exposure can be good for us, providing Vitamin D which acts as a defence against colds and aids muscle and bone development.
Who does it affect?
UV radiation affects everyone who spends time in the sun, especially children and young people.
Genetics and skin type play an important role in the reaction our bodies have to sun exposure. It’s a common myth that only fair-skinned people need to be concerned about overexposure. Even though darker skin has more protective pigment, it is still vulnerable to the damaging effects of UV radiation.
Skin cancer
Skin cancer is usually related to a lifetime of exposure to UV radiation (regular beach bathers be warned!). While skin cancer usually appears in older adults, the damage begins at an early age from exposure to UV radiation, especially sunburn. New research also suggests that sun exposure in adulthood triggers cells damaged during childhood to turn cancerous.
There are three main types of skin cancer:
- Basal cell carcinoma: the most comment and least dangerous form of skin cancer. It usually shows up as small, fleshy bumps on the head and neck but can appear on almost any other skin areas. It grows slowly, and although very rarely spreads to other parts of the body, can infiltrate to the bone and cause serious damage.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: often appears on parts of the body that are most exposed to the sun. It appears as red, scaly patches and can develop into large masses and spread to other parts of the body.
- Melanoma: is the least common but most dangerous form of skin cancer—it can kill you if not detected and treated early. Melanoma skin cancers can grow anywhere on the body (even parts that are rarely see sunlight). They can appear as a new spot, or an existing spot, freckle or mole that has changed in size, shape or colour. They can also look like an uneven or smudgy outline, be more than one colour, and may itch, bleed or become larger or irregular in shape. If treated early, 95% of melanomas are cured.
Melanoma cases in this country have more than doubled in the past two decades and experts predict these cases will only continue to rise.
Non-melanoma skin cancers are less deadly than melanomas. But left untreated they can spread to other parts of the body causing severe health problems.
Eye damage
Overexposure to UV radiation can also cause eye damage, such as swelling of the cornea and the conjunctiva (the layer of tissue that covers the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids). It can also cause or speed up cataract development. Cataracts are a form of eye damage that affects the way your eyes focus and leads to clouding of the vision. Other kinds of eye damage include pterygium (tissue growth which can block vision), skin cancer around the eyes, and deterioration of the part of the retina where visual acuteness is most sensitive.
Our immune systems
Scientists have found that UV radiation can restrain proper functioning of our body’s immune systems and the skin’s natural defenses, increasing the risk of infection and disease.
Look on the bright side…
It’s not all bad news. Evidence suggests the sun has plenty to offer us in the way of benefits. Recent studies have shown that spending just 20 minutes basking in the sun can be a good defense against getting a cold or flu in the winter months. This is all thanks to vitamin D.
Vitamin D helps to regulate calcium levels in the blood and is essential for bone and muscle health. A healthy supply of vitamin D boosts our immune systems, which is the reason colds and flu are significantly less common in the summer months when we have plenty of sun. Researchers tell us that a good dose of sunshine can also help to get rid of the winter blues and reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
However, protecting yourself against overexposure is still essential.
What’s being done about the impact of overexposure to the sun?
For years, The Cancer Council Australia has been warning of the dangers of excessive sun tanning and solarium use. This year, they organised a Cancer Awareness Week to raise awareness about protecting yourself against cancer and treating any symptoms. They also advocate basic tips for being sun-smart including the following ways to protect against sun damage when UV levels are high:
- Seek shade
- Wear protective clothing that covers your arms and legs and body
- Wear a broad-brimmed hat that shades your face and neck
- Wear wrap-around sunglasses
- Apply SPF30+ broad spectrum water-resistant sunscreen every two hours
- Take extra care between 10am and 3pm when UV levels reach their peak
- Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds
- Check your skin regularly for changes in the size, shape, color or feel of birthmarks, moles and spots - such changes can be a sign of skin cancer
Thanks to The Cancer Council NSW www.nswcc.org.au for contributing information to this issue page.
How do I know this?
The Cancer Council NSW
www.cancercouncil.com.au/sunsmart
The Cancer Council Australia
http://www.cancer.org.au/aboutcancer/cancertypes/
melanoma.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sunexposure.html
UICC International Union against Cancer
http://www.uicc.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=96
World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/en/
British Medical Journal- Helping doctors make better
decisions
www.bmj.com
