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2007-9-3 13:50:47 |
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People who drive often are more likely to have a higher risk of certain skin cancer on their left side of their body which is exposed to sun rays, according to U.S. researchers. Dr. Scott Fosko, professor and chairman of dermatology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and colleagues found 53 percent of skin cancer was occurred on the left arm and neck of active drivers. "Since previous scientific findings have shown an association between one-sided exposure to ultraviolet light (UV) and an asymmetric facial distribution of sun damage, we would expect that skin cancers also would be more prevalent on the left side of the body in drivers who spend a significant amount of time in their cars," said Dr. Fosko in a prepared statement. "Our initial findings confirm that there is a correlation between more time spent driving and a higher incidence of left-side skin cancers, especially on sun-exposed areas in men," Fosko said. According to healthday.com, Dr. Fosko and team studied 898 people (559 men and 339 women) with skin cancer on either side of the body and discovered the increased risk on the left side for skin cancer. A statistically significant number of left side skin cancers were found on arms, hands, neck and head of men, but not women. These sites are most often exposed to sunlight/UV radiation while driving. Skin cancer as the most common cancer in the U.S. strikes more than a million people each year. It's believed that exposure to UV rays is responsible for most of the cases. Skin cancer does not pose too much of a risk in most cases as long as it is treated early. But a form of skin cancer known as melanoma is deadly, causing a high rate of death. The study on the correlation between driving and skin cancer risk suggests that drivers, particularly those who drive for a living may consider using some protection to avoid being overly exposed to sunlight. The results were presented Friday at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, in Washington, D.C. |
