Alcohol and the sun could prove a lethal combination in developing skin cancer, with tattoos also proving an additional risk factor for the deadly disease, according to a leading melanoma expert.
Australia has one of the highest melanoma rates in the world with around 16,000 Australians diagnosed annually and an estimated 1,300 Australians dying from the disease each year.
Molemap dermatologist Dr Niyati Sharma says while consumption of alcohol can have a negative impact on the amount of sunblock used and increase the time spent in the sun, recent research paints a more alarming picture.
“The research has shown us that while drinking in the sun may cause your skin to burn more easily, alcohol drinkers in general may be more prone to skin cancer,” she says.
Dr Sharma says a German study which investigated the impact of alcohol and sun exposure showed that consumption of liquor increased not just the risk of sunburn developing but also the severity.
“Participants in the study each consumed three drinks before being exposed to UV light with the tests showing their skin burned faster,” she says.
Dr Sharma says it is likely that the acceleration of sunburn was due to the lower levels of carotenoids the participants had following consumption of alcohol, the depletion of these may have made the skin more prone to the impact of the sun.
“The findings of this study are concerning because they do tell us that alcohol can increase the likelihood of sunburn, it is not simply a case of people failing to apply enough sunscreen when they’re drinking, rather the research shows a direct correlation between the ingestion of alcohol making our skin more vulnerable to the effects of the sun,” she says.
Dr Sharma says several other reports have confirmed a link between alcohol intake and the development of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) the two most common types of skin cancer as well as melanoma.[1][2][3]
“One of the studies highlighted the risk of BCC increased by 7% and SCC increased by 11% for every standard beer or small glass of wine, or ten grams of distilled spirits, drunk each day.
“The other study found a 20% increase in melanoma for those who drank liquor to compared to those who don’t drink alcohol or drank it on occasion, and an increased risk based on the amount of alcohol intake, with a 55% increase in risk for those who drink 50 grams of alcohol (or five beers) per day,” she says.
Along with alcohol consumption, Dr Sharma says tattoos can also prove to be an additional risk for Australians this summer.
Latest data shows a quarter (25%) of Australians have a tattoo and this makes it more challenging to identify any potentially dangerous skin lesions.[4]
Dr Sharma says those who have a tattoo “sleeve” may also be at increased risk as it is harder for them, their friends or family to immediately identify an area of concern.
“The onset of summer is a welcome reminder to us all of the dangers of melanoma and the need to be vigilant with sun protection and the monitoring of any areas of concern. Skin checks are vital in early detection of melanoma or other types of skin cancer,” she says.
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