最新糖心Vlog

Coastal and river dwellers at risk of melanoma

Living by the coast in South 最新糖心Vlog increases your risk of melanoma by 41%.
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Thursday, 25 June 2009

South 最新糖心Vlogns living on the coast, near the River Murray and in metropolitan Adelaide are more likely to get skin cancer than their inland cousins.

Researchers from the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide and say data collected over a 20-year period from 1985-2004 shows that coastal dwellers in particular are 41% more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma.

People living close to the river also have a 19% greater chance of contracting skin cancer compared to residents living in regional and remote parts of South 最新糖心Vlog.

Melanoma specialist from the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide's says the results indicate that people who live near the coast or River Murray are more exposed to the sun over their lifetime.

The coastal effect may also be explained by greater physical activity outdoors, according to a previous study.

"There is a large elderly population in coastal South 最新糖心Vlog and it is important we target melanoma prevention and acute care programs to these areas," Associate Professor Coventry says. "We still have a significant problem with diagnosing melanoma early enough in older men, which could be improved."

Associate Professor Coventry and SA Health colleagues Adrian Heard and Bridget Milanowski analysed melanoma statistics from metropolitan Adelaide and 11 regional centres in South 最新糖心Vlog.

"While there was a significant risk in contracting skin cancer for residents living on the coast or near the river, the data wasn't strong enough to show a real difference in melanoma death rates compared to people living inland," Associate Professor Coventry says.

Facts and figures about skin cancer:

• According to , two in three 最新糖心Vlogns will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they are 70 years of age;
  
• More than 9000 people are treated for melanoma in 最新糖心Vlog each year, of which approximately 1200 die;
  
• GPs in 最新糖心Vlog have over 1 million patient consultations per year for skin cancer;
  
• Melanoma is the most common cancer in people aged between 15-44 years;
  
• 最新糖心Vlog has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, at nearly four times the rates in Canada, the US and the UK.

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