Changing fashions, cultural attitudes and health beliefs have contributed to the rise of deadly melanoma skin cancer, according to a new study.
“Attitudes and behaviors shape exposures. More skin, more sun and more tan lead to more melanoma.”
Do you have the wrong attitude towards risky skin exposure (sunlight, or ultraviolet tanning booths)?
Something else has changed during the same time frame too. The use of sun lotions and sun "protection" creams has exploded. The contents of these creams is doubtful, at best, and may be really harmful. The skin is the largest organ in the body, and it will absorb most anything applied to it.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the cause, and what is the effecct here...?
Good point, Peter, these lotions possibly cause health problems with at least some people, though in very sunny countries like Australia are probably the lesser evil.
ReplyDeleteI have no knowledge one way or the other, and wonder if the older lotions (such as zinc cream) are safer than the new ones that contain nano particles.
Perhaps Sweden is not so sunny as here Down Under, so the lotions are relatively more of a danger, has there been any research dine in the Nordic countries about this?
Most of the research down here has been focused on sunshine as a prime cause of skin cancers. Several decades ago Australia had a concerted advertising campaign "Slip, Slop, Slap!" ... see http://www.bing.com/search?q=Slip%2C+slop%2C+slap+campaign+TV+commercials
and the "Slop" part of this referred to slopping on (applying) generous applications of sunscreen lotions.
I don't think the link between sun and skin cancer is proven yet. There are some professionals who dispute it.
ReplyDeletehttp://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/08/05/does-too-much-sun-really-cause-melanoma.aspx
I've had a malignant melanoma removed and have never been a sun worshiper and always used high factor sun cream.
Having said that I still advocate using a high factor sun cream as I don't believe burning your skin is good for you regardless of whether it causes skin cancer.