UK and Irish experts at loggerheads regarding skin cancer

Main Category: Melanoma / Skin Cancer
Article Date: 09 Feb 2004 - 0:00 PDT


Irish and British experts went head-to-head last week over the best way to reverse rising rates of skin cancer.

As families prepare to jet off to sunnier climes during next week's mid-term school break, advice on skin cancer prevention is more confused than ever before. The traditional medical recommendation to stay out of the sun was slammed as 'draconian and unnecessary' by the chairman of the UK Skin Cancer Prevention working party.

Dr Neil Walker, a consultant dermatologist in Oxford, England, said: 'There are a lot of people who have this almost religious conviction about the dangers of the sun. The zealots rule at the moment: there may be an argument that there is no such thing as a safe tan, but it's not an argument that works.'

The Irish Cancer Society hit back, accusing Walker of clouding an important safety issue. Health Promotion Manager Elaine Glynn said: 'The dangers of the sun are not exaggerated. We base our recommendations on a collection of evidence, not on one study saying the sun is safe.'

Recent claims in the British Medical Journal say the dangers of sunshine are far outweighed by the benefits. They argue that relaxing in the sun stimulates production of Vitamin D which can protect against a range of diseases. But Ms Glynn disputes this.

'We consistently monitor the research and there is not enough evidence that the benefits of the sun outweigh the risks,' she said. 'Most Irish people get enough Vitamin D by having hands and faces exposed on a daily basis.'

The Irish Cancer Society and top dermatologists remain united in advising parents not to rely on sun cream and to keep children covered up and in the shade between 11am and 3pm when the sun is at its strongest.

Consultant dermatologist Nicholas Walsh said: 'Babies under the age of six months should be protected from the sun at all times. Sunscreen is not a good alternative because it contains chemicals and there is a risk of absorption into the baby's skin.'

Chair of the Irish Association of Dermatologists Dr Gillian Murphy said: 'There is not enough evidence that sunscreens prevent malignant melanoma.'

Ireland has the third highest number of cases of malignant melanoma in the EU and incidents have risen by more than five per cent among men in the past 10 years.

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