questions to: "Distance Running is tied to Skin Cancer"

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hofmanna@uni.edu - 06 Dec 2006 14:01 GMT

Dear Sir and Madam:

I am a student at the University of Northern Iowa, and I am very
interested in the topic of skin cancer because at age 42, my dad was
diagnosed with stage two melanoma; and I am writing a journalistic
report about this topic. I would appreciate it if you could provide
your insights about this topic by answering the following questions:
1. Why do you feel that the level of skin cancer continues
to increase among other professionals?

2. My dermatologist claims that there are more incidences of
melanoma in lawyers than in farmers due to the fact that the farmer's
constant sun exposure builds a "base tan" whereas lawyers (or other
professionals not so accustomed to sun exposure) are more likely to
experience a severe burn. In light of this, wouldn't a runner, who is
constantly exposed to the sun, be more likely to build a "base tan"
rather than a severe burn?

3. Are there ways in which a runner should be protecting
himself from the ultra-violet rays that he is not currently using?

Please note that by providing me your insights, your responses remain
confidential and your identity remains anonymous. Also, if you wish to
receive a copy of this report, please indicate so in the last question,
and you will receive a copy when the report is completed. Please send
your response to my e-mail address at hofmanna@uni.edu by Friday,
December 8th, 2006. If you have any questions about this inquiry,
please feel free to contact my instructor, Dr. Sarina Chen, at
sarina.chen@uni.edu, TEL: 319-273-6021. Thank You.

Sincerely,

A. Hofmann
Dept. of Communication Studies
Univ. of Northern Iowa

Sarina Chen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dept. of Communication Studies
Univ. of Northern Iowa

Reply to this Message

TC - 06 Dec 2006 20:08 GMT

> Dear Sir and Madam:
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> constantly exposed to the sun, be more likely to build a "base tan"
> rather than a severe burn?

Here is an interesting exercise in logic to explain the unexplainable.

You dermatologist will swear on a stack of bibles that the main cause
of skin cancer is sun exposure. In other words, skin cancer is caused
by sun exposure and the more sun exposure the greater your chance on
getting skin cancer. There is no doubt in these statements. Incidence
of skin cancer is directly related to sun exposure.

Except that professionals, such as lawyers, are showing as many or more
skin cancers than farmers. Which is exactly the opposite as what one
would expect from the skin cancer by sun exposure paradigm.

So we can either conclude that sun exposure may not be directly linked
to skin cancers and rethink the whole thing OR we can come up with some
way to explain this. They chose to find some way to explain this. And
their explanation is that those exposed to *more* sun develop a "base
tan" and are thus protected, while those who get *less* exposure do not
develop this protective "base tan" and are thus less protected.

So in this convoluted logic, less is more and more is less. So the
amount of sun exposure is somehow now inversely proportional to the
risk of skin cancers while still being directly proportionally
dangerous, simultaneously.

Gotta love these advanced degree pinheads for being able to come and go
at the same time, or suck and blow at the same time, if you prefer.

TC

> 3. Are there ways in which a runner should be protecting
> himself from the ultra-violet rays that he is not currently using?
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> Dept. of Communication Studies
> Univ. of Northern Iowa

Reply to this Message

TC - 06 Dec 2006 20:49 GMT

http://www.skincancer.org/

****

http://www.maui.net/~southsky/introto.html#causes

What Causes Skin Cancer?

Sunburn and Sunlight
Very simply, sunburn and UV light can damage your skin, and this damage
can lead to skin cancer. There are of course other determining factors,
including your heredity and the environment you live in. However, both
the total amount of sun received over the years, and overexposure
resulting in sunburn can cause skin cancer. Most people receive 80% of
their lifetime exposure to the sun by 18 years of age. The message to
parents from this is to protect your children.

Tanning is your skin's response to UV light. It is a protective
reaction to prevent further injury to your skin from the sun. However,
it does not prevent skin cancer.

Remember, skin cancer is very slow to develop. The sunburn you receive
this week may take 20 years or more to become skin cancer.

****

TC

> > Dear Sir and Madam:
> >
[quoted text clipped - 65 lines]
> > Dept. of Communication Studies
> > Univ. of Northern Iowa

Reply to this Message

TC - 06 Dec 2006 22:08 GMT

http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/uscs/Table.aspx?Group=3f&Year=2002&Display=n

Now one would think that where more people are exposed to more sun year
round, more incidences of skin cancers would be the rule.

Here is the results of a few quick data searches.

Age-Adjusted Invasive Cancer Incidence Rates for the 10 Primary Sites
with the Highest Rates within Race- and Ethnic-Specific Categories
(Table 3.27.MF1)
Rates are per 100,000 persons and are age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S.
standard population (19 age groups - Census P25-1130).

Melanomas of the skin - male and female - white

Massachusetts - 21.5
Seattle - 24.7
Rhode Island - 27.4
New Hampshire - 27.3
Connecticut - 21.3

Texas - 12.8
California - 20.4
Florida - 17.0
Louisiana - 13.2
New Mexico - 17.7

Hmmmmm..... the hotter, sunnier, the state and the closer to the
equator, the LESS skin cancer. The cooler and more northerly the
state, the MORE skin cancers. Must have something to do with the
protective "base tan" that comes with more sun. Yep, sun exposure must
protect us from the harmful sun damage from sun exposure. More is less
and less is more and Alice is still staring into the looking glass.

TC

TC

> http://www.skincancer.org/
>
[quoted text clipped - 93 lines]
> > > Dept. of Communication Studies
> > > Univ. of Northern Iowa

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