Could mobile devices raise skin cancer risk?

Devices like tablets, smartphones and laptops can reflect ultraviolet light from the sun and may indirectly increase users' exposure to the cancer-causing wavelengths, according to a new study.

“These devices are generally used for communication or entertainment, so it can be easy to overlook their reflective properties unless you happen to catch the glare off a screen,” said Mary E. Logue of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, who coauthored the research with Dr. Barrett J. Zlotoff.

They wondered whether, like those old-fashioned tanning reflectors, personal electronics could also pose skin health risks, Logue told Reuters Health by email.

In a small observational study conducted on a grassy field in Albuquerque, the researchers set up a mannequin head wearing a UVA/B light meter and faced it toward a standard musician’s sheet stand. Then they placed various mobile devices on the stand.

In two trials, the researchers recorded UV readings for an hour of exposure, from 11 AM to noon, using a magazine, an iPhone5, various iPad models, two Macbook laptops and a Kindle e-reader.

In the first trial the devices were 16.5 inches from the UV sensor. For the second, they were secured 12.25 inches away. The devices and the UV sensor were angled to mimic an adult looking down at the handheld device.

The study team measured UVA/B dose exposure from light reflected by the devices in Joules per square centimeter over one hour and compared that to the UV readings with an empty sheet stand.

In the first trial, when the devices were further away from the mannequin, an open magazine increased UV dosage exposure by 46 percent compared to the sheet stand alone, an iPad2 increased exposure by about 85 percent and an 11-inch Macbook increased UV exposure by 75 percent.

Only the second trial, with devices held closer to the mannequin's “face,” included the iPhone5, which increased UV exposure by 36 percent, as the researchers reported in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

“The harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays have been well documented, and limiting exposure is the single most effective preventive measure an individual can take,” Logue said. “Significant levels of UV exposure, such as those found in this study, increase cumulative lifetime UV dosage.”

Given the increase in UV exposure, there needs to be further research to see if skin cancer risks are affected, she said.

“While the best course of action is to limit smart device usage to the indoors, this is obviously impractical for most people,” Logue said. “We recommend covering the shoulders, wearing sunglasses and wearing sunscreen, especially on the exposed areas of the neck and face.”

The devices themselves could be redesigned to be less reflective, or to include UV sensor technology so their users could track their exposure, she said.

Dr. Robert Dellavalle, chief of the Dermatology Service at the Denver VA Medical Center, who was not part of the new study, said that while the research did not involve real people using the devices, it still raised a practical point. In real world use, it may be hard to see phone or tablet screens in full sun, and using them may actually encourage shade-seeking behavior, he noted.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Hugh Jackman treated for skin cancer, again

LOS ANGELES - Oscar-nominated Australian actor Hugh Jackman has been treated for skin cancer for a third time in a year, a spokesman said Tuesday.

The 46-year-old first had a basal cell carcinoma (BCC) removed last November, when he posted a picture on Twitter of himself with a plaster on his nose. He did the same in May.

His spokesman Alan Nierob confirmed to AFP that Jackman had been treated for a third time. He declined to give any other details, but E! News cited a representative as saying that the star is now "all good."

BCC is the most common form of skin cancer, with over 2 million cases diagnosed in the United States every year, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

It usually develops on exposed skin such as the head, neck and back of hands, but is especially common on the face and nose. People who use tanning beds have a much higher risk of getting it.

Jackman, known for his roles in the "X-Men" blockbusters, was also nominated for an Academy Award and won a Golden Globe for 2012's musical adaptation of "Les Miserables."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

How to stay safe in the sun

When taking a break, most of us prefer the option of heading for the sun with one of the first priorities to gain a golden tan. While a tan may look attractive, it does not come without costs, with the sun contributing to premature ageing, and in some cases leading to skin cancer.

The sun does provide vitamin D, a necessary vitamin for healthy living, but when it comes to sun exposure the best general advice is to avoid tanning. A tan is a sign of skin damage. However, if you wish to get a tan, then follow these realbuzz.com tips to do it as safely as possible.



To stay safe in the sun, we need to minimize exposure to ultra violet radiation (UVR). To do this:

1. Limit exposure

Avoid exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., as this is the period of the day when the sun's UVR levels are highest.

2. Seek shade

Sitting in the shade reduces the amount of UVR you receive, but this doesn't fully protect you as UVR reflects off many surfaces such as sand and water, so other methods of skin protection should be utilized.

Personal protection

1. Sunscreen

Sunscreen should be used at all times when in the sun, regardless of how dark your skin is. A sun protection factor of 30+ is best. The higher the number, the greater the protection.

2. Sunscreen should be applied to the skin at least 20 minutes before sun exposure, and reapplied every two hours or more frequently if swimming or perspiring. Sunscreen should not be relied on as the sole form of protecting the skin.

3. Wear a shirt

Wearing a shirt, especially one with long sleeves and collars provides additional protection.

4. Wear a hat

A broad-brimmed hat that covers the head, face, neck and ears will provide the most protection. For children a legionnaire-style hat with added protection for the neck is best.

5. Sunglasses

Quality sunglasses that meet the necessary standards provide good protection for the eyes from UVRs. A close fitting, wrap around style affords the maximum protection for the eyes.

Protecting young children

Youngsters should be kept safe by applying all the tips mentioned above. Young skin is particularly susceptible to burning and damage caused to the skin when young is usually permanent. Many sunscreen products indicate suitability for use on babies and children.

That covers the basics for staying safe in the sun. Now some other general advice that may be of use:

• Do not fool yourself into thinking that if you are not hot that you are not burning. The damage done to the skin is done by UVRs, not related to temperature.

• Avoid the need for a super deep tan. Remember that a sun tan is a sign of sun damage and the deeper the tan, the worse the damage and greater the risk of skin cancer. A skin like leather is also not particularly attractive!

• Start with exposure to sun early in the day or late in the afternoon. Exposure can be increased gradually.

• You can still get sunburned on cloudy days or when
sitting in the shade.

 • Take care if participating in water sports. Water can wash off some suncscreen, while if you are boating wind combined with the reflection of the sun off the water can lead to burning. Read more at www.realbuzz.com.

source: abs-cbnnews.com