Live In Our Skinz!

According to current findings sunshine is not the main cause of most dangerous forms of skin cancer. Even though exposing yourself unprotected to UVA and UVB rays increases your risk of developing skin cancer, it could have more to do with the number of moles you have.

Scientist, whose research appears in the current issue of the journal Nature Genetics, claim the number of moles on your skin is the most important factor in the risk of getting melanoma. According to the scientist they believe sun warnings would be more effective if they focused on people who had 100 moles or more and taught them to check them regularly for change in shape, color, and size.

Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London, said: “The number of moles you have is one of the strongest risk factors for melanoma – stronger than sunshine. This paper shows that we found two important genes that control the number of moles you have. Those genes also give you an extra risk of melanoma.”

Source: Times Online

Melanoma can be treated if caught early enough. Melanoma is relatively rare, accounting for 10% of all skin cancer cases, but it is responsible for most skin-cancer deaths.

After reading this I realize that some people may seem overly afraid of the sunshine. Sun protection can become a little obsessive, but we have to keep in mind that we don’t have to hide away in our houses all day long and not enjoy the outdoors.

Everyone should wear an SPF 30 sunscreen to protect against sunburn and to help prevent premature aging and wrinkles.

If you are fair skinned, have red hair and have a lot of moles then you have a higher risk of getting melanoma, but that doesn’t mean you have to. Just take the right precautions–be cautious–not afraid!

• Wear your sunscreen everyday
• Avoid the peak hours of the day between 10am-4pm
• Wear uv protected clothing and a wide brimmed hat