Focus Magazine - Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

By ProfessorAndrew WrightIt is well recognised that ultraviolet light from either sun or sun beds isa major factor in causing skin cancer and that the number of people withskin cancers is continuing to rise. However, ultraviolet light is also goodfor us, helping to produce the important vitamin D in our skin.There is increasing awareness ofthe importance of this vitaminto general well-being anddermatologists are adoptinga balanced approach to sunexposure and advising peopleto both limit their risk of skincancer but reap the benefits oflimited sun exposure.The advice we currentlyprovide through our service is asfollows:Vitamin D:■ Helps regulate amount ofcalcium and phosphate,needed to help keep bonesand teeth healthy.■ Recent research suggests alink between cancer survivaland vitamin D.Should I take vitamin Dsupplements?■ Vitamin D supplements andexcessive amounts in yourdiet can possibly cause harmif taken in large amountswithout medical guidance.■ Talk to your GP or skin cancerteam for further advice beforetaking supplements.■ It has been said that theexposure of just 20% ofthe body surface to directsunlight can be a good wayof increasing your bloodconcentrations of vitamin D.■ Therefore, whatever thefindings it should beremembered that a walk inthe open air, taking steps toavoid burning, exposing 20%of the skin, people can get abalance between skin cancerprevention and enjoying thegood effects of the sun.Therefore:■ Access to sunlight is importantto ensure sufficient vitamin D■ Everyday casual skin exposuree.g. 20% rather thansunbathing will probably givemost people enough vitamin D.However, the amount ofsun needed to make enoughvitamin D is always lessthan the amount that causestanning or sunburn.FOCUS August 2013 page 23