TEENAGERS AND SKIN CANCER.

Teenagers and Skin Cancer.

Teenage Skin Cancer

Introduction

The world over, the impact of skin cancer in terms of incidence and mortality is second only to cardiovascular diseases. An estimated 16,366,000 skin cancer-related deaths occurred worldwide during the year 2000, with 55% of these taking place in developing countries. In addition, in developing countries, the number of skin cancer-related deaths will increase an estimated 71.1% during 1990-2010. In America, a middle-income country, the incidence of skin cancer has increased in the last 30 years and is currently the second most common cause of mortality, with a rate of 54.5 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants (Weinstock, 2002).

Multiple risk factors are correlated with skin cancer and 80% of the deaths due to skin cancer have been associated with unhealthy lifestyles. This includes Skin Cancer, nutritional deficiencies, immoderate consumption of alcohol, obesity, and sexually transmitted infections (specifically human papillomavirus). While it is extremely difficult, sometimes impossible, to modify genetic and environmental factors, knowledge, attitudes, and behavior related to lifestyle factors that contribute to skin cancer risk or prevention can be modified through appropriate interventions (Geller, 2003).

Discussion

Excessive tanning, either through direct sun exposure or tanning facilities, remains a serious public health concern due to the associated risks of various skin cancers (e.g., malignant melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma). Yet, a substantial percentage of younger Western Caucasians engage in purposeful exposure to ultraviolet radiation. For example, Demko et al1 determined that among United States adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19 years, 37 percent of Caucasian girls and 11 percent of Caucasian boys have been to a tanning facility at least once in their lives, with 28 percent and seven percent, respectively, having used such services on three or more occasions. Jones, Harris, and Chrispin2 examined United Kingdom college students and found that the majority reported engaging in and enjoying sunbathing. Gordon and Guenther3 found that the prevalence of tanning-bed use by 10th grade Canadian students was 14 percent. Interestingly, these epidemiological patterns in young Caucasian populations may be transcending to other racial/ethnic groups. For example, Gorell et al4 found that Asian Americans may be adopting Western cultural beliefs that promote sun exposure.

In conjunction with the preceding epidemiological patterns, tanning facilities are ubiquitous. Hoerster et al5 examined the density of indoor tanning facilities in 116 United States cities; they found a mean of 42 facilities per city, with 12 facilities per 100,000 persons. Hirst et al6 described their concerns about the “expanding solarium industry” in Australia and actually calculated the savings in healthcare costs (i.e., reduction in expenditures for the treatment of skin cancers) if these facilities underwent stricter regulation.

In conjunction with the younger population's interest in “sun time,” the media has genuinely attempted to contribute to the public's awareness of the risks of excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation. In this regard, Henneghan et al7 examined the prevalence of sun-exposure themes in news articles in the New York Times. Between the years 1980 and 2004, the New York Times published 874 articles in this ...