LONDON

By Rebecca Oppenheim

Scientists have devised a test that reveals just how quickly skin is aged and damaged by exposure to the sun.

The test, developed by researchers at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, shows the damage that has accumulated in people’s skin as a result of the effect of the sun’s rays on their DNA. This, they warn, could lead to a skin cancer time bomb.

The researchers analyzed the skin of six women in their 20s before and after they went on holiday to Ibiza. The results found that even a week in the sun can cause damage to the skin’s DNA, potentially increasing the risk of cancer.

Dr Mark Birch-Machin, lead researcher, warned that women could end up looking 40 or 45 by the time they reach 30. “Every time you sunbathe, and especially when you get sun-burned, you add an extra layer of damage. This makes the skin saggy, leathery, thick and discolored.

“You are damaging the DNA in your skin cells, which can lead to skin cancer. It’s like a time bomb which could go off in 15 or 20 years,” he said.

More than 65,000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year and a recent survey commissioned by Cancer Research UK revealed a worrying gap between how much people know about skin cancer and how little they do to protect themselves from the sun.

Among 16-24 year olds, 73 per cent believed that exposure to sun might cause skin cancer. But only a quarter of this age group apply high factor sunscreen as protection. Fewer than 20 per cent cover up or seek shade from the sun.

Of all the adults surveyed, only 6 per cent avoided the midday sun and just 0.3 per cent said they would have their suspect moles checked by a doctor.

Sara Hiom, coordinator of Cancer Research UK’s SunSmart campaign, said, “The Australian sun awareness campaign has shown that with a sustained ‘drip drip’ approach to information people will eventually change their habits.

“This success has finally resulted in a drop in the number of skin cancer cases in their younger generation. In contrast, our skin cancer rates are climbing. It’s not enough to know how to be safer in the sun, people must actually take steps to protect themselves,” she said.

© HMG Worldwide 2003
http://www.health-news.co.uk/