Risks and benefits of sun exposure: implications for public health practice based on the Australian experience

Prog Biophys Mol Biol. 2006 Sep;92(1):173-8. doi: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2006.02.006. Epub 2006 Mar 10.

Abstract

Over recent years, evidence has been accumulating that vitamin D has a positive impact on our overall health. This may have an impact on the future of our public health advice related to skin cancer prevention. This paper explores, from a public health perspective based on Australian experience, how skin cancer prevention messages should be managed in light of new information about vitamin D and, in particular, the times when sun protection advice should be provided and how the vitamin D message can be complementary to the sun protection message.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Australia
  • Environmental Exposure / statistics & numerical data*
  • Health Promotion / organization & administration*
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / epidemiology
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / prevention & control
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / methods
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians' / trends
  • Risk Assessment / methods*
  • Risk Factors
  • Skin Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Sunlight*
  • Sunscreening Agents / therapeutic use
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / epidemiology
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Sunscreening Agents