We Care Health: how to prevent skin cancer?

Thursday, June 19, 2008

How to prevent skin cancer

SKIN CANCER PREVENTION
For the nonmelanoma skin cancers, the most logical approach to prevention is to limit exposure of the skin to natural and artificial sources of UV radiation. This can be achieved in numerous ways, including the use of sunscreens, the avoidance of outdoor activities during the noon hours when the amount of UV radiation in sunlight is maximal, and the use of protective clothing. Reducing the lifetime dose of UV radiation reduces the risk of skin cancer development. Because the effects of UV radiation in causing nonmelanoma skin cancers are cumulative, we would expect that reducing sunlight exposure at any age would retard the rate of tumor development.
For melanoma and perhaps even for some basal cell carcinomas, it is not clear whether this strategy would be effective because there is not a simple, direct relationship between dose of UV radiation and melanoma induction. For example, if melanoma results from childhood exposure to UV radiation, as has been suggested, reducing sunlight exposure during adult life may not be beneficial in attempting to decrease the incidence of melanoma. Obviously, more information on the dose response, wavelength dependence, and mechanism of action of UV radiation in the induction of melanomas is needed to devise effective strategies for preventing even the melanomas that are sunlight-related.

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Tanning and skin cancer facts

There is a popular belief that suntanned skin is healthy and attractive. Many people spend more time in the sun than is good for their skin trying to achieve a fashionable tan.
A considerable percentage of the white skinned population admits to tanning at least once a year either in the sun or in tanning beds.
In a magazine survey, two thirds of teens said they "look better with a tan and feel healthier, more sophisticated," and half said they looked "more athletic".
Tanned skin is thought to be associated with swimming pools, backyard barbecues, dinner parties, and exotic vacations. In this context, tanned skin took on a feature of attractiveness as a signal of being well-traveled, cultured, and supposed evidence of leisure wealth. It also became a signal of health and strength as the bodybuilding and fitness industries increasingly promoted tanning to highlight muscle tone and definition.
Suntan is caused by an increased release of the pigment melanin into the skin's cells after exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
There is convincing evidence from many studies that frequent exposure to any form of UV radiation (solar or artificial) increases the risk for the development of skin cancer.
Preventive measures include avoiding sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m, wearing a hat and anti-UV sunglasses which can provide almost 100% protection against ultraviolet radiation entering the eyes and applying a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.