The Viva Longevity! YouTube channel has some fascinating information and is well regarded by its viewers. One video about skin health had some startling statements. One was when the Harvard skin scientist Anna Mandinova, MD, PhD. said something to the effect that in the next 10 years, the number of patients who die from squamous cell skin cancer will reach the number who die from melanoma.
So, how many people in the US die from melanoma? According to the American Cancer Society, that number will be about 8,400 in 2025.
Another was when the host, Chris, mentioned that UV-A damage can occur as early as 6 a.m. and even at 6 p.m.
Making matters worse, apparently in the US many sunscreen products typically don’t do a good job blocking out UV-A radiation.
Sunscreens from South Korea and Europe are noted as doing a better job with UV-A protection.
Some other facts which may not be well known are that car windows and windshields generally don’t provide UV protection. Neither do windows in homes.
There is a general guidance that sunscreen should be applied every two hours for people who are outdoors. The Harvard skin scientist says it is actually every one hour to provide extra protection.
At one point in the video, a research study is referenced, about how there is an endorphin response from sunlight exposure. The study was not in humans. The authors did mention their results still might be applicable to humans, “While these studies were performed in a nocturnal and furred animal model, significant evidence supports a strong relationship between UV exposure and addictive behaviors in humans” (Feldman et al., 2004; Harrington et al., 2011; Kaur et al., 2005; Kaur et al., 2006b; Kourosh et al., 2010; Mosher and Danoff-Burg, 2010; Warthan et al., 2005; Zeller et al., 2006).
The endorphin response from sunlight exposure might be why people experience some pleasure while sunbathing, even though the practice of sunbathing harms the skin and increases skin cancer risk.
At this point, you might be wondering what any of this information has to do with sustainability. Well, climate change may increase skin cancer risk because with higher temperatures some people may spend more time outdoors to cool off — going to the ocean, lake, pond, public swimming pool, or their own backyards. Additionally, depletion of the ozone layer means less UV protection. Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons has been linked to various cancers, including skin cancer. “Air pollutants also directly contribute to tumor formation by binding to cellular DNA through PAH-derived epoxides and diols.” PAH here refers to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. More PAHs are released because of additional wildfires and more intense wildfires from climate change impacts.
In the paragraph below, from Yale Climate Connections, DNA and cell damage are referenced, two effects that generally can be associated with cancer.
“Exposure to intense heat, UV radiation, pollution, and smoke can break down the skin’s protective lipid coat, deplete skin antioxidants, and trigger a process known as oxidative stress. This leads to production of free radicals, unstable molecules that damage cells and DNA, cause inflammation, and can break down the collagen and elastin that are essential for maintaining our skin’s elasticity and firmness.”
Tanning beds are also linked to skin cancer, but how are they connected to sustainability?
They consume quite a bit of electricity and it is not well utilized. There is nothing essential or helpful about their use, and they can cause harm. “Sunbeds use a lot of power, so your largest monthly bill will be electricity. Typically, tanning salon utilities (average) cost £1,500 – £7,000 per month for electricity alone. It’s important to do your own research into the tariffs available in your area.”
Some tanning bed salons use electricity generated by coal power plants. The tanning beds increase skin cancer cases, some of which are fatal. The coal power plants contribute to climate change and generate toxic air pollution which harms human health in additional ways.
One research study found there was a huge number of deaths associated with coal power plant emissions, “Our results suggest that air pollutants released from coal power plants were associated with nearly half a million premature deaths of elderly Americans from 1999 to 2020.”
To sum, skin cancer has some links to climate change, directly and indirectly.
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