Climate change, the ozone hole, and skin cancer - they're all connected

No, what is bugging me is the lack of information, media and public concern in Australia, about UV radiation, about skin cancer, and also cataracts and eye cancers, which also are caused by UV radiation..

You see, although the effects of UV radiation are world-wide, Australia is a special case, and we should be more concerned than nearly any other country.

Mathieu Isidro explains this, in a recent article:

"Solar radiation includes visible light, but also infrared radiation responsible for the "heat" sensation you feel and ultraviolet radiation responsible for sunburns.

Irradiance is the power of electromagnetic radiation on a unit of area, and is measured in watts par square metre (W/m2). In Australia, it reaches the scale's 2nd maximum of 270-280 W/m2 on a large portion of the country. The sunlight that hits Australia is really strong, and there's lots of it.

In fact, the map shows there are only three important continental areas to reach such highs: Australia, eastern China (Tibet) and central Africa at the intersection of Sudan, Chad, southern Libya and southern Egypt. Australia is the largest, making it, some claim, the world's sunniest country."

UV radiation hits us in two ways, -ultraviolet A (long-wave) and ultraviolet B (shortwave) rays. UVA rays account for up to 95 percent of the UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface. Although they are less intense than UVB, UVA rays are 30 to 50 times more prevalent. They are present with relatively equal intensity during all daylight hours throughout the year, and can penetrate clouds and glass.

UVB rays reach the middle layer of the skin's epidermis, and cause squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) UVA rays reach the deeper layer of the epidermis and cause basal cell carcinomas BCCs These are the commonest forms of skin cancer, and they can certainly become fatal, if left neglected. However,in the 21st Century, most people are aware that these can be readly diagnosed and removed by the local doctor.

Melanoma is a cancer that arises in the body's pigment cells, which are found in mainly in the skin,but also in other parts of the body; It is less common, than SCCs and BCCs, but harder to identify, and more likely to be fatal. Its cause is linked to genetic factors, but again, exposure to UVA radiation is the key factor.

Merkel cell carcinoma develops in the Merkel cells in the top layer of the skin. This is a rare cancer,and is known to be caused by a virus. However recent research is showing that UV radiation is also part of the cause. Unlike the other cancers mentioned, for Merkel cell cancer, the risk of death is high. This cancer is hard to diagnose and it grows and spreads very quickly.

Merkel cell cancer was rarely mentioned in Australia before now. But this is changing, unfortunately,because along with Australia's record rates of UV radiation,Australia can boast (if that's the word) of record rates of Merkel cell cancer. Western Australia held the world record until recently. Now Queensland has at least double the rates of this world's deadliest skin cancer on record

Merkel cell carcinoma if not diagnosed and treated early, can grow aggressively and has a high death rate. Australia needs to become much more aware of this,and of the other skin cancers, and their relationship to this country.s status as the world's sunniest country. And that might mean that Australia should revive the good old Slip Slop Slap campaign, UV resistant Lycra bathers, and also good sunglasses. That's for right now. But what about the future, and the more distant future? Preparation for the increasing onslaught of UV radiation is OK. But these rather frightening connections between skin cancer, ozone depletion and climate change are surely more reasons for Australia to take a leading role in action to slow the rate of climate change.