Sun exposure and cancer risk Book Section

  


Authors: Berwick, M.; Hay, J.
Editors: Holland, J. C.; Breitbart, W. S.; Jacobsen, P. B.; Lederberg, M. S.; Loscalzo, M. J.; MccorKle, R. S.
Article/Chapter Title: Sun exposure and cancer risk
Abstract: (from the chapter) Sunlight, critical to human health, provides light and warmth and aids the body in the formation of vitamin D. Yet too much may be lethal. Excessive exposure to the sun invites the most common cancer of all: skin cancer, melanoma, and nonmelanoma. This chapter will, first, summarize both aspects of sunlight exposure--its risk for cancer as well as its protective aspect--and so help provide an informed basis for evaluating sun exposure. Second, the chapter will review the literature examining psychosocial and behavioral approaches to minimizing sun exposure. A critical evaluation of the role of sun exposure in cancer risk is particularly important today. There is a great deal of evidence that ultraviolet (UV) exposure has both positive and negative effects. A systematic review of the literature identified risk from sun exposure for melanoma skin cancer, cancer of the lip, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the skin, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin but potential protection for other cancers such as prostate, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, breast, and colon cancer. Although sun protection messages are important to prevent diseases associated with UV exposure, some sun exposure is probably essential to avoid diseases of vitamin D deficiency. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved).
Keywords: cancer risk; melanoma; sun exposure; non-hodgkin's lymphoma; sunlight; protection; nonmelanoma skin cancer; psychosocial & behavioral interventions
Book Title: Psycho-Oncology. 2nd ed
ISBN: 978-0-19-536743-0
Publisher: Oxford University Press  
Publication Place: Oxford, UK
Date Published: 2010-01-01
Start Page: 43
End Page: 46
Language: English
PROVIDER: Ovid Technologies
ACCESSION: Book: 2010-06876-005
PROVIDER: psycinfo
DOI/URL:

http://ovidsp.ovid.com/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&CSC=Y&NEWS=N&PAGE=fulltext&D=psyc7&AN=2010-06876-005
Notes: Book Chapter: 5 -- "Source: PsycINFO"