Solar ultraviolet radiation, skin cancer and photoprotective strategies in South Africa

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Authors

Wright, Caradee Yael
Norval, Mary

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Wiley

Abstract

The most recent data relating to the incidence of, and mortality from, the three commonest forms of skin cancer, namely basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and cutaneous melanoma (CM), in the Black African, Colored, Asian/Indian and White population groups in South Africa are reviewed. While exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation is the major environmental risk factor for BCC in all four groups, for SSC in the White and Asian/Indian groups and for CM in the White group, this is unlikely to be the case for most SCCs in the Black African group and for most CMs in the Black African and Asian/Indian groups. Strategies for practical personal photoprotection in South Africa are discussed with particular emphasis on people at heightened risk of skin cancer including the White population group, those with HIV or oculocutaneous albinism and outdoor workers.

Description

This article is part of a Special Issue celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the American Society for Photobiology.

Keywords

Skin cancer, Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), Cutaneous melanoma (CM), Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), South Africa (SA)

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Citation

Wright, C.Y. & Norval, M. 2023, 'Solar ultraviolet radiation, skin cancer and photoprotective strategies in South Africa', Photochemistry and Photobiology, vol. 99. no. 2, pp. 509-528, doi : 10.1111/php.13676.