Too much sun exposure can lead to skin cancer, but too little can cause vitamin D deficiency: What’s a girl to do?

IT’S widely known that excessive sun exposure can lead to skin damage and increase the risk of developing skin cancer, the 9th most newly diagnosed cancer among women in Qatar. However, it also seems ironic, that despite the abundance of sunlight in this part of the world, a significant portion of the population, including women, also suffers from vitamin D deficiency due to reduced or too little sun exposure, even during summer. So how do you draw a healthy balance between trying to overcome vitamin D deficiency, while preventing skin cancer when exposing yourself to the sun?

A study conducted in 2017 on ‘Vitamin D status among adults (18-65 years old) attending primary healthcare centres in Qatar’ showed that the prevalence rate of severe vitamin D deficiency was 14.1 percent among the participants with no history of vitamin D replacement therapy in the previous months. The prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency was as high as 71.4 percent and that of vitamin D insufficiency was up to 92.7 percent.

The study also indicated a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among young adults, females, Qatari nationality and those with higher body mass index.

Vitamin D deficiency has various causes including limitations in sunlight exposure, seasonal geographic latitude and altitude, atmospheric pollution, diet, aging, genetics, and liver and renal disease among others.

In an article titled ‘Vitamin D deficiency in women’ on Pavilion Health Today, Dr. Andrew Blann presented some salient points for women and vitamin D. He noted that low vitamin D status has been associated with some diseases and other long-term conditions such as osteoporosis, diabetes, and some cancers. Low blood vitamin D during pregnancy could also result in low bone mineral density in the babies once delivered. While many observational studies link vitamin D deficiency with breast cancer.

On the other hand, it is common knowledge that the two main causes of skin cancer are the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and using UV tanning beds.

Globally, skin cancer is the 17th most common cancer in both genders. It is the 14th most common cancer in men and the 14th most common cancer in women. Symptoms include new bumps or patches on the skin, or changes in the size, shape, or color of skin growths.

The Skin Cancer Foundation has stated that women aged 49 and under are more likely to develop melanoma (type of skin cancer) than any other cancer except breast and thyroid cancers. From age 50 on, significantly more men develop melanoma than women.

According to the study ‘Skin cancer concerns particular to women’, skin cancer has reached epidemic proportions, with more new cases diagnosed annually than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung, and colon. Estimates show 2 to 3 million new cases of non-melanoma skin cancer every year, and, among women, it is the young (younger than 45 years) who are disproportionately affected. Furthermore, there are increasing rates of melanoma in women before the age of 45 years, the study added.

The Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) has reiterated that although sunlight is essential for human health and wellbeing, residents must still be cautious of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR), which can neither be felt nor seen.

WCM-Q added that sunburn is the most common effect of UVR on the skin. Over time, UVR can cause wrinkles, age spots, and other signs of aging aside from certain types of skin cancers. It can also damage the eyes. In rare cases, the eyes can experience ‘sunburn’ acutely, while long-term exposure is associated with the development of cataracts, corneal damage, and loss of eyesight.

Exposure to UVR is highest between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, and summer tends to have the most direct UVR during the year.

Experts recommend the use of sunscreens (SPF 30 or higher). Research also shows that 10-15 minutes of sun exposure a day is generally enough to increase one’s vitamin D levels.

During summer, WCM-Q recommends limiting UVR exposure by:

• Avoiding prolonged periods in the sun between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

• When you do go outside, wear protective clothing, such as a widebrimmed hat and a long-sleeved shirt. Keep an umbrella handy.

• Wear wrap-around sunglasses that provide both UVR-A and UVR-B protection.

• Stay in shaded areas, under the cover of trees or buildings.

• When at the beach or pool, wear sunprotective swimwear.

• Avoid indoor tanning beds, as they emit high levels of UVR.

• Take extra precautions if you have a history of skin cancer in your family.