Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/509499
Dr Lawrence Scerri Chairman, Department of Der- matology & Venereology, Sir Paul Boffa Hospital; Senior Lecturer, University of Malta Where would we be if the sun did not exist? The simple answer is – we would not have existed. There would not have been the solar system, and planet Earth would have been shrouded in darkness, and it would have been too cold to support any form of life. Plants would not have been able to pho- tosynthesise their food. Modest doses of sunlight are also essential for the body to build adequate stores of vitamin D in order to help build and sustain healthy bones. Sunshine helps to alleviate one's mood, and a sunny climate could be effectively exploited to boost the tourist industry. But all is not so bright as far as the sun is concerned. Ultraviolet rays from the sun cause sunburn if one overstays in the sun espe- cially around springtime or early summer, when the skin might not have yet adapted to the sunny weather. Long-term, repeated sun expo- sure causes irreversible biological damage to the skin, giving rise to premature skin ageing and increasing the risk of skin cancer. Fair-skinned individuals and chil- dren are especially vulnerable to the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays. The incidence of melanoma skin cancer has progressively risen at an alarming rate in most white- skinned populations in recent decades. This has given rise to worldwide public awareness cam- paigns to highlight the damaging effects of the sun, promote sun protection and encouraging early skin cancer detection. The latter is especially important in view of the fact that survival of melanoma victims is directly linked to catch- ing the cancer in its early stages. Sun-awareness campaigns are especially directed at youths, not because melanoma is common in this age group, but because sub- stantial sun-damage occurs at this age due to a care-free attitude, which translates into unpleasant consequences in later years. Combating the notion of invul- nerability commonly perceived by most youngsters is a tall order indeed. A lot has to do with cool trends, fashion, and culture. Repetitive clever advertising and conditioning strategies, perhaps with the collaboration of popular role models as well as the fashion and glamour industry, could however go some way towards modif ying trends and bringing about behavioural changes among youths. So why not start from now? Be cool this summer – block the sun. XV maltatoday, Sunday, 10 May 2015 Summer Beauty Be cool this summer – Block the sun