Skin
cancer rate for young females triples
By
Sumayya Ahmad
Daily Trojan
LOS ANGELES (U-Wire)– The incidence of skin cancer among females under
40 has tripled, according to a study published in the Journal of the American
Medical Association.
The rate of basal cell and squamous cell cancers rose to 32 cases per 100,000
women under the age of 40 in 2003, up from 13 cases per 100,000 in the late
1970s, according to the study.
Dr. David Peng, visiting associate professor of clinical dermatology at the
USC Keck School of Medicine, said he has also seen an increase in patients
with these kinds of cancers.
“What is fairly frightening is that I’m finding an increasing number
of patients who are in their late teens and early 20s who are developing melanomas
and other kinds of skin cancers. The patients that I have seen have, without
exception, reported use of tanning beds or regular sun bathing,” he said.
These kinds of cancers are associated with excessive exposure to sunlight and
are often found in people who sunbathe, Peng said.
He said there are other alternatives to sunbathing, such as sunless tanning
products.
He said there have been problems with these products in the past, such as streaking.
The newer preparations have dealt with these issues, such as a product called
Mystic Tan, a self-spray solution that allows an evenly distributed tan to
develop over the process of a few days.
“Of course our main goal is to help patients understand that looking dark
and crisp is not, in fact, very attractive. But that of course involves a broader
public campaign,” he said.
“Dermatologists are not saying to avoid the sun altogether.
We do want people to lead active lifestyles,” he added.
Peng recommends reading the active ingredients in sunscreens and sunblocks,
along with using sunscreen of at least SPF 30.
He said the ingredients titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which are found in
sunscreens, tend to be better tolerated and act as physical barriers against
UV rays.
“Often times, people just look at the SPF rating. What people don’t
realize is that the active ingredients are also important in determining if the
product protects you from the sun,” he said.
Peng believes a reason there is a higher incidence of skin cancer is that dermatologists
are failing in their efforts to educate the public regarding the dangers of
sun exposure.
He said that particularly in Los Angeles, where there are people of a variety
of racial and ethnic backgrounds, there is a need for more public awareness
about this issue.
“Rates of skin cancer are increasing in the population as a whole - not
only in people with fair skin,” he said.
Alexandra Gazzaniga, a graduate student in professional writing, said that
although she loves being in the sun and going outside, she tries to be cautious
about sun exposure.
“I do go to the beach but don’t actively get a sun tan. I try to
avoid the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. hours,” she said.
Gazzaniga has been to the dermatologist before about skin problems and she
is especially cautious now that she is older.
“I just try to be careful. It was my experience when I was 18 or 19 when
I had a scare. I think I had some damage when I was younger,” she said.
Gazzaniga believes people know about the dangers of tanning salons, but that
they get mixed messages.
“There are so many images of the young, tan, and beautiful. It’s
just like smoking. People think they are invincible when they are young,” she
said.
Priscilla Brambila, a graduate student in marriage and family therapy, said
she agrees the standard of beauty has remained the same.
“As time as progressed, people are wanting to tan more. It seems like everyone
has fake tans,” she said. |
