Living by the coast in South Australia increases your risk
of melamona by 41%. Copyright © 2009 The University of Adelaide
Data collected by the University of Adelaide and the South Australian Department of Health over a 20-year period has found coastal dwellers are 41 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma.
And people living close to the River Murray have a 19 per cent greater chance of being diagnosed compared to people living in regional and remote parts of South Australia.
University of Adelaide melanoma specialist Brendon Coventry said the results indicated that people who lived near the coast or the Murray were more exposed to the sun over their lifetime.
He said the coastal effect might also be explained by greater physical activity outdoors.
"There is a large elderly population in coastal South Australia and it is important we target melanoma prevention and acute care programs to these areas," Professor Coventry said.
"We still have a significant problem with diagnosing melanoma early enough in older men, which could be improved."
According to the Australian Cancer Council more than 9,000 people are treated for melanoma in Australia each year and about 1,200 die from the disease.
Melanoma is also the most common cancer in people aged between 15 and 44, while Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, at nearly four times the rates in Canada, the US and the UK. [rc]
© 2009 AAP
Copyright © 2009. Fairfax Digital
June 25, 2009
AUSTRALIA: Link between seaside living and melanoma
.
BRISBANE, Queensland / The Brisbane Times / Breaking News / June 25, 2009
Living near the coast, or even down by the Murray,
increases the risk of developing skin cancer, new research has found.
Living by the coast in South Australia increases your risk
of melamona by 41%. Copyright © 2009 The University of Adelaide
Data collected by the University of Adelaide and the South Australian Department of Health over a 20-year period has found coastal dwellers are 41 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma.
And people living close to the River Murray have a 19 per cent greater chance of being diagnosed compared to people living in regional and remote parts of South Australia.
University of Adelaide melanoma specialist Brendon Coventry said the results indicated that people who lived near the coast or the Murray were more exposed to the sun over their lifetime.
He said the coastal effect might also be explained by greater physical activity outdoors.
"There is a large elderly population in coastal South Australia and it is important we target melanoma prevention and acute care programs to these areas," Professor Coventry said.
"We still have a significant problem with diagnosing melanoma early enough in older men, which could be improved."
According to the Australian Cancer Council more than 9,000 people are treated for melanoma in Australia each year and about 1,200 die from the disease.
Melanoma is also the most common cancer in people aged between 15 and 44, while Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, at nearly four times the rates in Canada, the US and the UK. [rc]
© 2009 AAP
Copyright © 2009. Fairfax Digital
Living by the coast in South Australia increases your risk
of melamona by 41%. Copyright © 2009 The University of Adelaide
Data collected by the University of Adelaide and the South Australian Department of Health over a 20-year period has found coastal dwellers are 41 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma.
And people living close to the River Murray have a 19 per cent greater chance of being diagnosed compared to people living in regional and remote parts of South Australia.
University of Adelaide melanoma specialist Brendon Coventry said the results indicated that people who lived near the coast or the Murray were more exposed to the sun over their lifetime.
He said the coastal effect might also be explained by greater physical activity outdoors.
"There is a large elderly population in coastal South Australia and it is important we target melanoma prevention and acute care programs to these areas," Professor Coventry said.
"We still have a significant problem with diagnosing melanoma early enough in older men, which could be improved."
According to the Australian Cancer Council more than 9,000 people are treated for melanoma in Australia each year and about 1,200 die from the disease.
Melanoma is also the most common cancer in people aged between 15 and 44, while Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, at nearly four times the rates in Canada, the US and the UK. [rc]
© 2009 AAP
Copyright © 2009. Fairfax Digital
