Low Fat Dietary Guide To Aid In The Management Of Skin Cancer
Skin Cancer
The
skin is one of the largest organs of the body. It accounts for about
one-twelfth of the body’s weight and acts as a protective shield
to a wide range of potentially harmful environmental agents. In
this role, the skin itself presents the foremost target for damage from
external sources. Thus, it should not be surprising that skin cancer is
the most frequently occurring cancer in the United States. In fact,
there were approximately one and a half million new skin cancer cases in
1997. This makes the incidence of skin cancer about equal to the
incidence of all other types of cancer combined! Although there are
over 200 different types of skin cancers, basal and squamous cell
carcinomas (referring to the skin layer of origin) account for nearly
all of the one and a half million new cases of non-melanoma
skin cancer reported annually. Melanoma accounts for an additional
40,000 cases. Alarmingly, population-based studies indicate that there has
been a steady increase in incidence of skin cancer over the past two
decades and this increase appears to affect all age groups.
Of
all the potentially harmful agents that affect skin, ultraviolet (UV)
radiation is one of such general nature that exposure to the sun’s UV rays
is the single most important cause of skin cancer, accounting for about 90%
of its occurrence. It is estimated that over 50% of the total lifetime
dose from the sun’s UV is received in childhood and adolescence. Based upon
this, the regular use of a sunscreen with SPF 15 during the first 18 years
of life would probably reduce the lifetime incidence of skin cancer
substantially. However, it is obvious from the current estimates of skin
cancer incidence that public education efforts regarding the avoidance of
excessive sun exposure have been only moderately successful. This points to
the need for additional measures to aid in the fight to prevent this common
skin disease. |
