Data on skin cancer in the hereditary form of RB
A current study from 2021 examined 1800 RB patients in the follow-up on the topic of skin cancer risk:
The following therefore applies: Even if the mechanisms of increased tumor development are not yet fully understood, minimizing the carcinogenic effect of UV light on the skin of young patients is urgently recommended.
Patients with the hereditary form of RB have an increased risk of developing melanoma compared to the normal population and should therefore take UV protection more seriously.
But how do we best protect the skin of young patients?
Physical sun protection is absolutely correct, including good (tested!) UV-protective clothing and the usual sun rules.
If a stay outdoors with somewhat more intensive UV insolation is unavoidable or if UV-protective clothing is no longer worn, then the free skin should be protected with a sufficient amount (!) of SPF 30-50.
In most cases, the SPF is applied too thinly and therefore never reaches the values of the specified maximum light protection capability.
The SPF should also protect against UVB and UVA.
For an adult without an increased risk of skin cancer, a factor of 30 is usually sufficient.
For patients with an increased risk, and unfortunately this includes RB patients, an SPF 50 should be used.
Of course, according to the current UV index.
With an index of 3, an SPF 20-20 would normally be sufficient, with a UVI of 8-10, 50 would of course be advisable.
On the question of the health risks of the higher SPF products in relation to the ingredients. All SPFs approved in the EU show no indication of a health risk when used correctly.
Rather, there is greater damage due to DNA damage to the skin that occurs and can be proven if UV protection is not adequate.
The risk assessment of the Federal Office for Risk Assessment and the Federal Office for Radiation Protection clearly positions itself on the basis of the scientific data. What we do not recommend are SPFs with a high proportion of nanoparticles, which whiten less but whose effects on human tissue have not yet been 100% clarified.
Hormonally effective SPFs are no longer approved in the EU.
Here is information on the LSF from the BFR: https://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/343/sonnencreme-und-co-gibt-es-gesundheitliche-risiken.pdf
Two other aspects are important: UV-induced DNA damage occurs even before the first signs of sunburn. Therefore, please apply prophylactic sunscreen regularly depending on the UV index.
Please do not forget to give vitamin D to young patients when applying UV protection consistently.
Without UV, no vitamin D…
Skin cancer – the dark side of sunlight
The feeling of light and warmth on the skin and the brightness evokes a sense of well-being in most people that is very difficult to escape.
However, there is a downside to sunlight: the ultraviolet radiation it contains.
When consumed in excess, this causes damage to skin cells, which in the worst case can be the cause of skin cancer.
Of course, our body can repair some of this damage itself.
However, this wonderful property unfortunately works much less efficiently in children and young people than in adults.
This is the reason why sunburns in adolescence are a major factor in the rising rate of skin cancer in adulthood.
We should protect ourselves.
UV protection is important.
Unfortunately, UV damage occurs even before a sunburn “warns” us.
Proper UV protection starts earlier, in the mind first!
We need to be aware of the damaging effects of UV radiation and not underestimate them. Observing the UV protection rules is the best precaution and has been proven to help prevent the development of skin cancer.