Sun Exposure Kills 60,000 Worldwide Each Year: WHO

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Around 60,000 people worldwide die each year from skin cancer caused by too much sun exposure, according to a new estimate by the World Health Organization (WHO). The agency released a report Thursday detailing 9 diseases and conditions caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and estimating their impact on global health.

Melanoma is the deadliest disease caused by the sun, and the primary cause of UV-related disease in the Americas, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Japan and Singapore. The WHO says 50%-90% of all melanomas are caused by too much sun exposure.

Excess UV exposure also causes most cases of non-melanoma skin cancers, the agency said. It estimates that 50%-90% of basal cell carcinomas and 50%-70% of squamous cell carcinomas are due to too much sun. The sun also causes a rare type of eye cancer called squamous cell carcinoma of the cornea or conjunctiva.

Using data from the year 2000, the agency calculated that these deadly skin cancers killed between 41,000 and 71,000 people, with the most likely figure being around 60,000.

American Cancer Society recommends limiting sun exposure between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM, when the sun’s rays are most intense. If you are outside, ACS recommends seeking shade, using sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, and covering up with hats, sunglasses, and long-sleeved clothing when possible. It is also important to avoid tanning beds and sunlamps, and check your skin regularly for any new moles or unusual spots. The WHO report offers similar advice.

Some Sun Exposure Beneficial

The report also notes that some sun exposure is beneficial to human health because it helps the body produce vitamin D. This nutrient is essential for strong bones and may even play a role in preventing other diseases.

People with dark skin who live in areas without much UV light and others who do not get a lot of sun exposure, such as prisoners and people who cover their bodies with clothing for religious or cultural reasons, should consult their doctors about taking a vitamin D supplement, the agency says. However, it says the overexposure to the sun is a bigger health threat than underexposure.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/acs/20060728/hl_acs/who__sun_exposure_kills60_000_worldwide_each_year

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Re: Sun Exposure Kills 60,000 Worldwide Each Year: WHO

one would think that with all these fancy sunscreens out there the rate of skin cancer would decline. seems like sunscreen gives people a false sense of security and they spend even more time in the sun (beach and outdoors*---"hey its ok i slathered on a pinch of sunscreen in the morning")* than usual.

before the invention of the bikini in the west, women would go to the beach fully covered in something that looked like a wet suit. women also wore hats and did not step out in the outdoors much. seems like staying out of the sun is the best way to avoid skin cancer, not sunscreen. and this applies most to gorays ofcourse.

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Re: Sun Exposure Kills 60,000 Worldwide Each Year: WHO

^ I agree, the thing that surprised me that most was of "people who cover their bodies with clothing for religious or cultural reasons, should consult their doctors about taking a vitamin D supplement".

I mean is it the cloth (color or garment), or the part of body you cover?

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Re: Sun Exposure Kills 60,000 Worldwide Each Year: WHO

i dont understand your statement:confused:

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Re: Sun Exposure Kills 60,000 Worldwide Each Year: WHO

I was talking about Osteomalacia, which is also caused by lack of sun exposure. I got the answer I was looking for by research that if you keep the healthy diet, everything should be fine.

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Re: Sun Exposure Kills 60,000 Worldwide Each Year: WHO

I don even wear sunscreen.. :bummer: