There are a number of misconceptions about the interaction between sunlight and skin. In this two part post we look at what we think are the top five most common sun and skin myths.
Myth 1: I can’t get sunburnt on a cloudy day (more…)
Top five sun and skin myths (part 1)
Thursday, February 2nd, 2012Low sunscreen use, high melanoma rates: a breakdown of the sunsmart message?
Tuesday, January 24th, 2012
It’s estimated that more than 9,000 Americans will die from melanoma this year and 76,000 new cases of the disease will be diagnosed. Melanoma, an aggressive skin cancer which can spread (metastasize) quickly to other parts of the body, is also the second most common form of cancer in young Americans (those aged 15-29).
Overexposure of skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation significantly increases an individual’s risk of melanoma, particularly at a young age; just one severe sunburn in childhood can double the lifetime risk of melanoma. Sun protective measures such as clothing and sunscreen are seen as key to reducing melanoma risk. (more…)
Ultraviolet radiation and its effects on the skin
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation forms part of the electromagnetic spectrum between visible light and X-rays; it is invisible to the human eye. UV light can be separated into three bands, UVA (400-320nm), UVB (320-290nm) and UVC (290-100nm). Of the UV radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface from the sun, approximately 6% is UVB and 94% UVA.
Skin maintains a curious balance with UV radiation. When UV impacts upon skin, the various wavelengths of light penetrate to different levels and thus have a number of effects.
Why do you sunburn on a cloudy day?
Thursday, February 17th, 2011
One of the most common reminders issued by dermatologists and anti-cancer organisations relates to the daily use of sunscreens, even on days when it is overcast or cloudy. Harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can still penetrate the earth’s atmosphere and may even be intensified on such days, posing a greater risk than on clear days.
To help understand why you can still get burnt in these (and other) situations, we’ve produced a short video on why UV levels vary, follow this link to view the video
Skin cancer in young Australians – Part 1
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010
This post is the first in a two-part series investigating recent trends in skin cancer in young Australians. With a particular focus on teenagers aged 15 to 19, we discuss changes in skin cancer incidence and mortality over the past few decades.
There are three common types of skin cancer; melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The latter two, which are collectively known as ‘non-melanoma skin cancers’, tend to be slow growing and infrequently metastasise (spread beyond the primary tumour to other parts of the body). Melanoma, the least common form, is generally more aggressive and is often lethal. (more…)
Recovery of the ozone layer to protect from skin cancer
Tuesday, October 19th, 2010
Since the 1970’s, scientists have been aware that the emission of certain substances from human activities reduces the amount of ozone in the stratosphere, the second layer of earth’s atmosphere. This ozone depletion is particularly noticeable in the formation of a large seasonal hole in the ozone layer over the Antarctic and surrounding regions each spring. Ozone in the atmosphere acts as a protective layer, absorbing and filtering out many of the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays bound for the earth. In people, high levels of UV radiation or repeated exposure can induce immune suppression, sunburn, eye damage (cataracts) and skin cancers. However, the dangers of such radiation are not limited to human health, with UV also having serious implications for wildlife, agriculture and the environment.
The Fitzpatrick Scale
Wednesday, October 13th, 2010
The Fitzpatrick Scale (also known as skin type or phototype) is a system for classifying skin based on the amount of melanin naturally present in skin and its response to ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure. It was developed in 1975, by Dr Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, a dermatologist at the Harvard Medical School. In the years since, the categories have been revised and refined and are still widely used today. (more…)
Sunless tanning intervention designed to reduce UV damage
Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010
According to newly published research from Dr. Sherry Pagoto, and her colleagues from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, physicians should consider recommending sunless tanning products in an effort to reduce the incidence of sunburn and skin cancer. (more…)
Investment in prevention pays off: 120,000 DALYs could be saved by Sunsmart
Thursday, September 9th, 2010
The longest, most comprehensive review of preventative healthcare measures in Australia – the ACE-prevention report – has found that a publicly funded Sunsmart campaign could save 120,000 disability adjusted life years (DALYs) in the next 20 years.
The report, published earlier this week, reviewed 123 preventative healthcare measures to evaluate their value for money and impact upon illness and premature death, based on projected spend scenarios. The DALY measure – a standard unit of how an intervention scenario compares to no treatment or intervention, measured in healthy life years lived – showed that Sunsmart had the fourth biggest potential impact upon Australian public health, behind tobacco and fast food taxes and gastric banding in individuals with a body mass index over 35 (those considered severely obese).
Mikey’s story – EPP
Tuesday, September 7th, 2010
Today Clinuvel presents the first in a series of webcast videos featuring 44 year-old Mikey, an Australian man with the severe light intolerance disorder Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP).
EPP is a rare, inherited, metabolic disorder characterised by extreme phototoxicity; toxic reactions to UV and visible light, particularly blue light. The symptoms of this photosensitivity may include those which are not visible to the naked eye, including itching, burning, prickling and most notably, intense pain. (more…)
