Does Sun Increase The Risk of Skin Cancer?
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A dermatologist, MD James Grichnik at Duke University Medical Center, has confirmed the potential dangers of UV radiation. The main responsible factor is exposure to ultraviolet light, which is increasing for all of us in our day-to-day life.
Prevention is better than cure. And if the cure is simple, you cannot ask for more. The best way to reduce the risk of skin cancer due to exposure to ultraviolet rays is to try and minimize the outings during two hours on either side of noon when the temperature is highest, or say peak noon. This is the time when three fourth of the harmful rays hit the earth and people who are outdoor during that time. Second thing to keep in mind is to cover up your body nicely while going out in the sun.
The third point is never go out in the sun without applying sunscreen. This point has been debated many a times. It is suggested that the SFP in sunscreen lotions or ointments should be at least 15. Sunscreen contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which help to reflect the light away. According to study is published in the September 2005 issue of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, sunscreen with high SPF but a low protection against immuno suppression, or IPF, could on the contrary increase the risk of skin cancer.
An interesting fact is that the number of moles a person develops is known to predict the risk of skin cancer in a person. And moles are a result of sun exposure. Mostly they develop due to sun exposure. Which means more moles means more exposure to UV rays and more exposure to UV rays mean higher risk of developing skin cancer. Children are also advised to apply sunscreen. It a potential tool to avoid or minimize the chances of skin cancer in future. Apart from sunscreen, children should be encouraged to cover themselves while going out in the sun and wear shades whenever they are outdoors.
This is a timely note as summer nears!
One word of caution. A small amount of sensible sun exposure during the morning or late afternoon can prove beneficial in a cancer prevention lifestyle. it is estimated that 24,000 people die in the U.S. each year due to LACK of UVB exposure (”Cancer”, 2002). This is twice the number of people that die from skin cancer. Also, a recent study showed that receiving 2000 IU’s of vitamin D daily halved the risk of developing breast cancer. One glass of milk contains 100 IU’s of vitamin D. Ten to fifteen minutes in the sun with 40 percent of the body exposed results in the absorption of 2000-5000 IU’s.
Thanks for the reminder about covering up. We seem to have forgot what our grandparents knew well. In 1935 before the advent of sunscreen, the risk of melanoma was one in 1500. It is now one in 84. What did they do? They wore protective clothing, hats, used umbrellas, and avoiding sun exposure on the two hours each side of noon! Thanks!
Lynne Eldridge M.D.
Author, “Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time, Practical Advice for Preventing Cancer”
http://www.avoidcancernow.com
This means that we have to choose the right sunsreen to use to avoid the risk of having skin cancer. I thought that suncreens with high SPF were already safe to use under the sun. I guess I was wrong.