UV Radiation and Cancer: General Data

Last upadated on: 07/27/2010

Skin cancer is one of the cancer sites which has substantially increased in the last 5 decades. This is mostly due to the emergence of the practice of tanning.

Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common form  of cancer  in France, affecting, at least, 65,000 people each year (a probably underestimated figure). These carcinomas are easily treated in their early stages but at later stages, surgery  may cause considerable destruction and disfigurement.

Less frequent, melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer. It is estimated that 70% of them are linked to sun exposure, particularly intermittent intense sun exposure during childhood. According to projections, 8,255 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in 2010 in France and 1,566 people will die from it*. Also, the number of cases has more than tripled in 25 years between 1980 and 2005. This worrisome trend and the limited treatment options available at an advanced stage of the skin melanoma, make prevention essential.

At international level, WHO set up INTERSUN, the global UV project.  One of the goals of this programme is to encourage countries to take action to reduce UV-induced health risks. In France,  “Increase protection from exposure to UV radiation” (naturally-occuring and artificial UV radiation) is an important measure of the 2009-2013 Cancer Plan (action 12-5).

*Hospices civils de Lyon / Invs / INCa / Francim / Inserm. Projections of Cancer Incidence and Mortality in France in 2010. Technical report - April 2010