Solar exposure: 60,000 deaths each year

Nearly 60,000 deaths each year are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet ( UV) , based on data presented in a report by the World Health Organization WHO
Described as "the first systematic review of the global burden of disease caused by UV radiation ," the report, entitled " Global burden of disease of solar ultraviolet radiation" , examines the health impact of exposure to UV radiation , explains WHO said in a statement .

Major causes of death associated with overexposure to UV radiation : skin cancer . Indeed, the 60,000 deaths associated with exposure to the sun rash reported each year , 48,000 are due to malignant melanoma (cancer of the most dangerous skin because it can be generalized , but also the rarest ) and 12.000 of other skin cancers developing in different cell layers of the skin. In addition to the basal cell carcinoma ( the most common skin cancers , locally slow evolution and malignancy , rarely fatal ) , it also distinguishes squamous cell carcinoma , which can , in rare cases develop in the cornea or conjunctiva, on the surface of the eye.

Rarely fatal , other conditions associated with overexposure to UV radiation , however, exert a significant impact in terms of morbidity . Indeed, in some cases sunburn ( sunburn) may be severe and blistering , while the skin photoaging due to chronic overexposure to the sun promotes the development of solar keratoses ( brown spots in area irregular , localized to areas exposed to light and which can rarely develop into cancer - ) .

And the list is not closed since overexposure to UV radiation also promotes the emergence of a specific form of cataract , cortical cataract, pterygium development ( fleshy growth on the surface of the eye) , or even reactivation of the herpes simplex virus causes herpes labialis (cold sores ) .

Of course, " we all need sunshine " , as exposure to small amounts of UVB radiation is essential for the synthesis of vitamin D (which helps prevent the development of bone diseases such as rickets , osteomalacia and osteoporosis ) , " but too much can be dangerous, even fatal ," said Dr. Maria Neira, Director of public Health and Environment department at WHO.

To the extent that " in most cases , minimal casual exposure to UV radiation sufficient to maintain vitamin D levels that avoid all these health problems ," better not to expose recklessly the sun as " overexposure to solar radiation is much more dangerous," a potential vitamin D deficiency linked to under-exposure to UV radiation extremely rare .

So it should follow some simple steps , which would include avoiding , according to WHO estimates , 50 to 90% of the different forms of skin cancer , 100% of sunburn and solar keratoses or 5% cases of cortical cataract .

These WHO recommendations regarding sun protection are included in an edition of the summer campaign melanoma prevention organized by the National Cancer Institute ( Inca ) . Different media campaign declined a " how to" of the sun, based on the slogan " five habits to end the toast attitude." Thus, five pictograms remind main advice : avoid the sun from 12 to 16h , seek the shade as much as possible, to cover ( T-shirt and wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses ) , to apply sunscreen with minimum SPF 30 without forgetting to regularly renew the application , and especially to protect children and adolescents.