From Australia to Brazil: sun worshippers beware

Skin cancer incidence is increasing worldwide as fair-skinned populations seek the sun without realizing the risks. Below some key facts about skin cancer.


Skin cancer incidence is increasing worldwide as fair-skinned populations seek the sun without realizing the risks. Below some key facts about skin cancer.

Key facts about skin cancer

  • The primary cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight.
  • Small amounts of ultraviolet radiation are beneficial to people and play an essential role in the production of vitamin D.
  • Between 2 and 3 million non-melanoma skin cancers and more than 130 000 malignant melanomas are diagnosed globally each year.
  • Frequent sun exposure and sunburn in childhood can cause irreversible damage that can lead to skin cancer later in life.
  • More than 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers occur in fair-skinned people, who tend to sunburn. Dark-skinned people have a lower risk of skin cancer but they are still susceptible to the damaging effects of UV radiation, especially on the eye and immune system.

Read the full article on website of the The World Health Organisation (WHO):
http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/87/8/09-030809/en/index.html