Skin cancer Sunbathing makes young women sick

Significant increase in skin cancers due to unhealthy recreational behavior

07/15/2013

Skin cancer is a frequently underestimated risk of sunbathing outdoors and visiting sunbeds. In a recent interview with the „New Osnabrück newspaper“ Gerd Nettekoven, Chief Executive of German Cancer Aid, reported on the dramatic increase in skin cancers in Germany. „The number of skin cancers has quadrupled in recent decades“ and „Skin cancer is now the most common type of cancer in Germany“, explained Nettekoven.

„The potentially carcinogenic ultraviolet rays of sun and solariums - in combination with the leisure time behavior of the population“, According to the chief executive of the German Cancer Aid, the biggest risk factors for skin cancer are. Since the 1970s are. Sun vacations and regular use of solarium are a normal part of many people's lives in Germany. According to the expert, this often has fatal consequences for the skin. „This year alone, around 234,000 people in Germany will contract new skin cancers“, warned Gerd Nettekoven in the conversation with the newspaper.

Alarming increase in skin cancers
According to the Chief Executive of the German Cancer Aid, the increase in skin cancer is in Germany „alarming“, but will „the danger of UV rays is still underestimated.“ Too often you see „on the beach, in the swimming pool, on the football field or at the sports festival children and adults with sunburn.“ For children and adolescents, this is particularly fatal, especially because of them „Sunburns increase the risk of developing malignant melanoma by two to three times later.“ Malignant melanoma (black skin cancer) is usually much more dangerous than the so-called white skin cancer, which makes up a large part of the disease. Nettekoven speaks of 206,000 expected cases of white skin cancer and 28,000 of the particularly malignant black skin cancer in 2013. The malignant melanomas are so dangerous because they form very quickly metastases and then are difficult to cure. According to the expert, about 3,000 people die each year in Germany as a result of melanoma.

Solariums with radiation intensity as at the equator
According to Nettekoven, the recreational behavior of the population plays a decisive role in the rising skin cancer. Pronounced sunbathing on the lake, sun vacations and solariums form an unfavorable combination of risk factors. With regard to the use of tanning beds, Nettekoven explained that currently around 4.8 million Germans regularly use tanning beds and this „although the radiation intensity of the devices is comparable to the noon on the equator“ be. Therefore, the German Cancer Aid rate basically from solarium visits. If young people do not adhere to the ban on solarium use since 2009, this is „simply dramatic“, that I „The risk of developing black skin cancer is doubled if tanning beds are regularly used up to the age of 35 years.“ This urgently requires improved education so that young people, in particular, become aware of this easily preventable cancer risk factor.

Especially women are increasingly suffering from malignant skin cancer
According to the expert, the relatively high number of young women with malignant melanoma in recent years is particularly worrying. they were „now the most common type of tumor among young women“, being in professional circles „especially frequent visits to the solarium responsible for this trend“ Nettekoven explained.

Sun protection when staying outdoors
In addition to avoiding visits to the sunbeds, sun protection plays an important role in the outdoor treatment of skin cancer prevention. Here is the slogan propagated by the Federal Association of German Dermatologists (BVDD) „Avoid - dress - cream“. Accordingly, direct sunlight should be avoided, especially in the noon hours. When staying in the sun, the body should be protected with clothing such as a sunhat or light, long pants and long-sleeved shirts and the exposed areas should be thoroughly treated with a sunscreen that has an adequate sun protection factor (at least 25 in adults and 30 in children) einzucremen.

Skin cancer screening
Since with an early diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer, the treatment chances rise significantly, Gerd Nettekoven also advises to so-called skin cancer screenings, which as „standardized examination of the entire skin surface“ the statutory insured every two years from the age of 35 years. In this way, there is a good chance that even malignant malignant melanomas will still be detected in a treatable stage. (Fp)