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By Perry Gil S. Mallari, Reporter
Before basking blissfully under the summer sun,
consider the serious damage that excessive sunlight, or more
specifically ultraviolet (UV) rays can do to unprotected skin,
specifically the DNA material of cells in the dermis. Simply put,
the damage the skin sustained from overexposure to sunlight can lead
to skin cancer. Though there are other determining elements to the
development of this medical condition such as heredity and
environment, exposure to sunlight is the most obvious factor and one
that an individual has control over.
The present generation has to contend with the
sad fact that the level of UV today is higher than it was 50 or 100
years ago due to the hole in the ozone layer thus minimizing
exposure to direct sunlight cannot be overemphasized. It is crucial
to note that skin cancer is very slow to develop. A seemingly
harmless sunburn might take two decades or more to develop into skin
cancer. Medical science defines skin cancer as a disease in which
malignant cells are present in the outer layers of the skin. This
will prove catastrophic to the body for the skin is its first line
of defense against infection. Vitamin D, water and fat are also
stored in the skin. The symptoms of skin cancer often manifest as a
growth or sore in the skin that does not heal.
The best way to prevent UV damage to the skin is
to limit one’s exposure to the sun during the hours of 10 a.m. to
3 p.m. when its rays are most intense. If this can’t be avoided,
the next best option is to apply the best available sunscreen lotion
to every exposed skin area 20 to 30 minutes before exposure and
wearing protective apparel like wide hats and long-sleeve shirts. In
choosing protective clothing for the sun, remember that if one can
see light through the fabric, UV can penetrate as well.
Research has shown that people with fair skin
are more susceptible to skin cancer. With that said, Filipinos
should be thankful for their color. Dermatologist Grace Carol
Beltran, MD says, “Brown people have melanocytes that produces
more melanin, the component in the skin that absorbs UV to protect
the skin cells from damage.” Filipinos’ brown complexion may be
the reason why melanoma, a type of skin cancer ranks only 22nd in
the list of The Manila Cancer Registry. This type of cancer was
accounted to cause only 1.2 percent of the total number of cancer
deaths in the country. Truly, instead of bleaching one’s skin and
thereby robbing it of its natural protection, one should be proud of
our golden kayumanggi skin.
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