There are those who live for the sun and can spend hours out soaking up the feeling of warmth. Then there are those who prefer to stay inside and escape from the powerful UV rays that come in contact with their body. Both types of people are at fault in the way in which they are using the sun. Those who spend too much time outside may develop skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common cancer; about 3.5 million cases of basal and squamous cell skin cancer are diagnosed each year. Another 73,000 cases are caused by melanoma, a more dangerous but less common type of skin cancer. Basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma cancers tend to be found on parts of the body over exposed to the sun (“Sun and UV Exposure”). Our body’s main source of vitamin
…show more content…
One is that people are getting exposure to the sun more than in the past. However, for most of human history, the "natural" level of vitamin D in the body was likely 50 ng/ml or higher. Nowadays, many people have only have 10 to 15 ng/ml (Ackerman). This is due in part because of how busy our lives have become. Nowadays, people have less time to enjoy being outside other than when people are purposefully trying to get a tan. When people do try to get a tan, they apply a ton of sunscreen to ‘stay safe’; but if used as advised, it reduces vitamin D synthesis in skin by 99 percent. An interesting study showed melanoma is present the most in countries where chemical sunscreen is heavily advertised. Sunscreen gives people the false sense of security that by wearing an excessive amount, they can stay out in the sun much longer. Also, studies have shown that in these same countries, there is an increased incidence of melanoma among men, and a higher frequency of squamous cell carcinoma in women (Chua). According to WHO, UVR exposure is responsible for only 0.1% of all diseases in the world measured in disability-adjusted life years or DALYs. DALYs measure how much a person 's expectancy of healthy life is reduced by premature death or disability caused by disease. This same report stated that 3.3 billion DALYs are caused from low levels of UV radiation (Mead). Clearly, there is far greater issue with people suffering from a low level of UVR than there is with over exposure. The misconceptions about how sunlight can help or hurt the human body have led to the confusion of being safe
One is that people are getting exposure to the sun more than in the past. However, for most of human history, the "natural" level of vitamin D in the body was likely 50 ng/ml or higher. Nowadays, many people have only have 10 to 15 ng/ml (Ackerman). This is due in part because of how busy our lives have become. Nowadays, people have less time to enjoy being outside other than when people are purposefully trying to get a tan. When people do try to get a tan, they apply a ton of sunscreen to ‘stay safe’; but if used as advised, it reduces vitamin D synthesis in skin by 99 percent. An interesting study showed melanoma is present the most in countries where chemical sunscreen is heavily advertised. Sunscreen gives people the false sense of security that by wearing an excessive amount, they can stay out in the sun much longer. Also, studies have shown that in these same countries, there is an increased incidence of melanoma among men, and a higher frequency of squamous cell carcinoma in women (Chua). According to WHO, UVR exposure is responsible for only 0.1% of all diseases in the world measured in disability-adjusted life years or DALYs. DALYs measure how much a person 's expectancy of healthy life is reduced by premature death or disability caused by disease. This same report stated that 3.3 billion DALYs are caused from low levels of UV radiation (Mead). Clearly, there is far greater issue with people suffering from a low level of UVR than there is with over exposure. The misconceptions about how sunlight can help or hurt the human body have led to the confusion of being safe