Skin Cancer - Are you at risk?

Skin Cancer can occur in any age group - it is the exposure that children and adolescents receive that causes the initial damage. People with fair skin who freckle or burn easily and never tan are in a high-risk group. Factors that determine high risk are occupation, family history, geographic location and lifestyle. In particular, people who have had a lot of sun exposure in their life are highly likely to be diagnosed with skin cancer in their later years. If you live in high altitudes or near the equator your skin is exposed to higher levels of UVR. If any of the above is you consider a sun shirt and go to the adults or childrens products.

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Call for Solarium Regulations

Solarium or sun bed tanning, which is the best and the quickest way to browning one’s skin for the ‘in’ look, now seems to be in the dock as latest research reveals alarming statistics, blaming the technique for at least 7 deaths and 51 cases of melanoma each year.

The study by researchers from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research and the Australian Radiationdefine Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, that got published this Saturday, in the Medical Journal of Australia, calls for tougher regulatory standards for the tanning industry nationwide.

It compared the amount of UV ray exposure from sun bed tanning and that from direct sun bathing by exposure in the sun. It was found that 3.6% of the total exposure the Victorians got to UV rays was from the solarium tanning.

As a result there was an estimated 294 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 51 cases of melanoma and 7 deaths in Victoria. However, this number was even greater in NSW and Queensland. While NSW had 12 deaths a year from the solarium exposure, there have been an estimated 14 deaths from the same reason in Queensland.

"There is a strong case for national regulation, notwithstanding the recognition that intentional sunbathing outdoors is a far greater behavioral problem than indoor tanning," the paper said.

According to the authors if the regulations came through, it would save the government an additional $3 million that it spends on healthcare and Medicare claims related to these problems.

Despite the alarming stats revealed by the research, the solarium industry denies any such health threats and believes that these are “just stats and not actual incidences,” according to Patrick Holly of the Australasian Solarium Association.

A solarium that uses electricity to produce concentrated form of artificial UV rays in order to tan the skin uniformly had become quite a rage amongst teenagers and young party goers who love the convenient and quick tanned effect and choose to ignore the side effects, which are far too dangerous.

The sun bed or sun panel exposure rapidly causes the skin cells to produce melanin, which is what gives the darker complexion. This, however, is considered unsafe as natural or artificial exposure to UV rays makes one more prone to skin cancerdefine.

And when the radiations one is exposing oneself to is five times stronger than the mid day summer sun, it is all the more better to stay away, as quite rightly said by one of the researchers, “no tan is worth dying for.”

What is Skin Cancer?

A skin cancer can be a spot that looks different from the other spots around it; a spot that has changed color, size or shape over the last few weeks or months or a flat spot that could be an early melanoma - the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Remember that skin cancer is rarely painful and is not usually ugly in the early stages. Current research indicates that 1 in 75 Americans will develop some form of skin cancer while the rate in Australia is 1 in 30. Most skin cancers are due to excessive sun exposure and can be prevented. If detected and treated early most skin cancers can be cured.

Beach Lovers Sunscreen Damages Reef

SUNSCREEN lotions used by beach-going tourists worldwide are a major cause of coral bleaching, according to a new study commissioned by the European Commission.

In experiments, the cream-based ultra-violet (UV) filters - used to protect skin from the harmful effects of sun exposure - caused bleaching of coral reefs even in small quantities, the study found.
Coral reefs are among the most biologically productive and diverse of ecosystems, and directly sustain half a billion people. But some 60 per cent of these reef systems are threatened by a deadly combination of climate change, industrial pollution and excess UV radiation.

The new study, published in US journal Environmental Health Perspectives, has now added sunscreens to the list of damaging agents, and estimates that up to 10 per cent of the world's reefs are at risk of sunscreen-induced coral bleaching.

Chemical compounds in sunscreen and other personal skin care products have been detected near both sea and freshwater tourist areas. Previous research has shown that these chemicals can accumulate in aquatic animals, and biodegrade into toxic by-products.

Researchers led by Roberto Danovaro at the University of Pisa in Italy added controlled amounts of three brands of sunscreen to seawater surrounding coral reefs in Mexico, Indonesia, Thailand and Egypt.

Even small doses provoked large discharges of coral mucous - a clear sign of environmental stress - within 18 to 48 hours. Within 96 hours complete bleaching of corals had occurred.

Virus levels in seawater surrounding coral branches increased to 15 times the level found in control samples, suggesting that sunscreens might stimulate latent viral infections, the study found.

Pesticides, hydrocarbons and other contaminants have also been found to induce algae or coral to release viruses, hastening the bleaching process.

According to the World Trade Organisation, around 10 per cent of tourism takes place in tropical areas, with 78 million tourists visiting coral reefs each year.

An estimated 4000 to 6000 tonnes of sunscreen are released annually in reef areas, with 25 per cent of the sunscreen ingredients on skin released into water over the course of a 20 minute submersion.

Sunscreens are made of around 20 compounds acting as UV filters and preservatives. Seven were tested for the study, including parabens, cinnamates, benzophenones and camphor derivatives.

The Essence of Australian Beach Culture

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Fashion savvy parents in Europe seeking stylish sun protective swimwear for their children welcomed the arrival of Sun Emporium several years ago. The wait is now over for Spain with the launch of the Summer 2009 range.

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Original surf inspired graphics and printed fabrics ensure a fresh, distinctive look for Sun Emporium swimwear and co-ordinated accessories. Funky designs in a gorgeous colour palette bring fun back to sun protection.

There has been a dramatic rise in the general awareness of sun safe clothing worldwide with incidence of skin cancer increasing in every country. The use of sun screen is simply no longer effective in providing head to toe protection from UVA and UVB rays.

Soft, chemical free fabrics offer maximum UV sun protection for the most delicate young skin. The Summer 2009 collection combines fashion and function with great choices for babies and young children. Sizlu brings Australian UV style to Europe in a premium range that is certain to excite parents and sun smart retailers.

What is the UV Index

It's fun to play in the sun, but did you know that too much sun can be dangerous?

When you have too much exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV), the radiation can cause immediate effects such as sunburn which in turn can lead to long-term problems such as skin cancer. Medical research shows that the cause of Skin Cancer is nearly always overexposure to the suns harmful rays. Don't forget it's not just our skin, it's our eyes as well. Over exposure to harmful UV rays can lead to problems such as cataracts. The UV Index, which was developed by the National Weather Service and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), provides important information so that we can plan our outdoor activities and prevent overexposure to the sun's rays.

The UV Index provides a good indicator of the expected risk of overexposure to the sun on a daily basis. The Index measures UV intensity levels on a scale of 1 to 11+, where low indicates a minimal risk of overexposure and 11+ means an extreme risk. It also takes into account clouds and other local conditions that have an affect on the amount of UV radiation reaching the ground.

When outside remember that UV is reflected off light coloured surfaces such as water, sand and snow, and, this will increase it's strength. So, always ensure that you're covered up whilst sailing, skiing and take extra special care of children and babies playing on the beach or by the pool.

Live UV update for Europe

Whilst you should always take precautions against overexposure to the sun, please take special care to adopt the safeguards when the UV Index indicates levels of moderate or above. And don't forget, just because it's a cloudy day, you can still burn.