Re: UV Tanning

[a.zapantis@qut.edu.au (Alex Zapantis)]

 As I understand it, melanoma is not as directly related to UV exposure.  The
>incidence of melanoma, the vicious skin cancer, is relatively constant over
>the surface of the earth, not just the tropics. 

Are you sure about this?? I've seen stats indicating that 3% of English
residents develop skin cancer during their life compared to 70% of
Australian residents. Of these skin cancers, about 10% are melanomas. We in
Australia are constantly bombarded with warnings about solar UV exposure. To
quote one Australian medico;
"The most effective way of avoiding melanoma is to wear clothes. We almost
never see melanomas on peoples behinds!"

Am I completely off track here??

Regards 
 
  Alex Zapantis                                         
  Radiation Safety Officer                                     
  Queensland University of Technology        
  Health & Safety Section                             
  Locked Bag No.2                    Ph     : 61 7 3864 3566
  Red Hill Qld 4059                    fax     : 61 7 3864 3993
  AUSTRALIA                           Email  : a.zapantis@qut.edu.au    

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