Are Certain Parts Of The World More Prone To Higher Rates Of Skin Cancer

Posted by admin on August 16, 2012 in Beauty | 0 comments

One of the negative effects of ozone depletion is an increase in the number of people suffering from skin cancer. The relationship between skin cancer and UV radiation is well established. People of fair skin are generally more prone to skin cancer.

America, Canada and Cuba lead the list for incidences of skin cancer. Australia has the highest rate of Melanoma. It is a reasonable conclusion, therefore, that skin cancer does originate in some parts of the world more than in others.

Some experts believe a majority of the skin cancers in Australia are due to the combination of the country’s location in relationship to latitude and a large population with vulnerable skin types. Strangely, the incidence of skin cancer in Australia varies with the latitude. The highest rates are in the north with Queensland having the highest incident rate nationally. Oddly, rates of all types of skin cancer are significantly lower for people who were not born in Australia, because people not born in Australia have lower UV exposure in their younger years.

The United States, Canada and Cuba, as well as portions of the Pacific and Northern Europe lead the list of per capita skin cancer attributable to UV radiation. South Asian countries, including India, Maldives, Bhutan and Banglade have a low per capita rate of skin cancer. This list is provided by the World Health Organization.

Even though studies have shown that while there is generally an increase in the incidence of melanoma closer to the equator, mortality from melanoma is four to six times higher in Nordic countries than in Mediterranean countries or in Australia and New Zeeland. The Nordic countries have a high population of fair skin people.

Another factor that is geographic in nature is the American culture values a sun tan while China and Japan do not enjoy the sun as much.

If certain parts of the world are more prone to skin cancer than others, it would seem that geography and culture play an important part in the increase in skin cancer of one country over another. However, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that the body acquires a predisposition to cancer in the very young years of life. If this is true what actions geographical or otherwise could stop the development of skin cancer later in life. Is the high incidence of skin cancer brought to maturity by the places where people live; the areas more prone to skin cancer than other areas?

It is logical to assume that skin cancer predisposition is acquired during the early years of life and has a high chance of developing into skin cancer with the greater chances being determined by the places people live.

Author Bio Box:

Joyce Barone is passionate about helping others enjoy clear, smooth skin. She writes for Skintrium, her favorite brand of skin care products.  In her spare time she enjoys the outdoors, hiking, and going to the beach.