There is a reason God gave people clothes! Check this article:
U.S. melanoma rate double what it was 30 years ago
Some excerpts:
The incidence of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, has
doubled in the U.S. in the last 30 years and is on track to remain high
unless Americans take more precautions to protect themselves from
ultraviolet radiation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) said Tuesday...
Non-Latino whites had the highest incidence of melanoma by far, with 24.6 cases for every 100,000 people...
Through age 49, women were more likely than men to be diagnosed with
melanoma, the report said. This is partially due to the popularity of
indoor tanning among younger white women — nearly one-third of white
women between 16 and 25 visit a tanning parlor at least once a year,
according to a 2013 study in JAMA Internal Medicine.
It's also probably due to the sort of clothes (or lack thereof) that young women are wearing nowadays, compared to 30 years ago. Covering yourself isn't probably such a bad idea, after all. You may be called a prude, but at least, you'll stay alive.
Men aren't off the hook, either:
From age 50 on, however, the incidence was higher in men, who are less
likely to use sunscreen or other forms of sun protection, the CDC study
said.
Men often have to work outdoors and tend to get partially undressed when the weather is hot which is probably not such a good idea, after all.
The mortality rate due to melanoma remained relatively constant
between 1982 and 2011, but the incidence of the disease doubled during
that time period, the CDC researchers wrote.
They projected that the total number of new melanoma cases would rise to 112,000 by 2030 if present trends continue.
The good news, as the article reliably informs us, is that it doesn't have to be!
In the Australian state of Victoria, a comprehensive
skin-cancer-prevention program called SunSmart prevented more than 9,000
cancers and more than 1,000 deaths over a 15-year period, they noted.
If a similar program were adopted in the U.S., it could prevent an
estimated 230,000 cases of melanoma between 2020 and 2030.
Do we really need a government program to encourage people to cover up when going outside in summer? Draw your own conclusions and don't forget that
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S., and it’s
usually the result of exposure to ultraviolet light, the CDC says.
It is tough because we do get a lot of sunshine. Tanning salons are dangerous and I really don't trust sunscreen either. The best thing is to stay out of the sun when the sun is strong. Everything with moderation.
ReplyDeleteYes, sunshine in moderation is very good for you as it helps produce vitamin D in your body, however, spending hours in it with very little on is dangerous. People used to wear hats in summer to protect their face and head, but now no more. I know several people who have had skin cancer (non-lethal) form, and one of them always used sunscreen but also spent hours in the sun by the slightest opportunity.
ReplyDeleteAnd if modesty and health are not good enough reasons to cover, one must remember that NOTHING alters skin like uv-rays.
ReplyDeleteI usually cover quite well on summer, even if it is very warm - I am really sensitive to sun. I always wear hat that shadows my face and keep most of my body covered, though I try to reveal some of my arms and legs to get vitamin D. I actually think that covering with some relatively loose, pale garments can keep you more calm than wearing something skimpy. Thight denim shorts is something I have never understood; they are so hot.
I also have to wear sunscreen but I have found several that have only physical protection. They are make-up like products that won't make your face all white. :)
Yes, it is possible to have problems with sun in Finland, too. Amazing. :)
BTW, my hubby is on vacation and that's why I am not around so much. In case you have missed me. ;)
If you go around wearing a hat over here unless you are a Japanese tourist (they all seem to take the threat of skin cancer seriously), people will think you are a freak. Since our weather is often wet and gloomy, folks tend to show too much skin whenever the sun comes out and it's at least moderately warm.
ReplyDeleteOthers call them sun-worshippers which is probably true to a point as I know someone who kept sunbathing against the doctors' advice after being diagnosed with skin cancer. It's really mind-boggling.
This year it has been especially bad: cold, windy, you name it, so even I spent a couple of hours in direct sun reading on the terrace by the first opportunity, so I can relate to them to a degree:) In Southern Europe more people wear hats in summer, btw.
Yeah, we all have missed you:)
Same thing with the hats here. People find wearing them hilarious. But I just have to wear them, otherwise I will get bad headache if it is sunny. And I have never been able to read in direct sunlight, I always have to go to porch and read in shadow when we are at the cottage. Now I can spend several ours in direct sunlight if I am boating (and covered head to toe) or something like that, but I cannot "take sunbaths".
ReplyDeleteIt is actually silly that people wear hats no more. My grandfather had always hat outside -he was a farmer. Women used to wear kerchiefs. Anyway covering my head actually flatters my face so I don't mind wearing them.
We have also had rather windy, rainy and cold spring. So even I am looking forward the heat wave if it ever comes... I just wish people would put at least SOME clothes on. My father-in-law wears only speedos when it is warm and we are at the cottage. And the cottage neighbour, senior man also, does the same. I find it repulsive. And his "girlfriend" takes topless sunbaths. Since I am so passive-aggressive, I usually cover even more just to make a statement. ;)
I nearly forgot. I really have to thank you. Thanks to your blog, I have realized that I don't have to wear old rags when we go to cottage; that it is ok to dress nicely even there. (for some reason people here, especially older, tend to wear really hideous things at cottages. If one wears something nicer but totally comme-il-faut, people can ask: "Isn't that too good to wear at countryside?")
Hats are associated with decency (and with church for women) and decency isn't cool any more, unless you are very upper class. The trashier one looks, the more fashionable apparently. Older people are often the worst offenders, I think they are stuck in the 1960 teenage rebellion. It's always Woodstock to them.
ReplyDeleteWe've got one day with temps above +30*C and I came to the conclusion I don't miss it, I just find +15*C a bit too chilly to my taste!
Oh, and you are welcome! One can say many things about our neighbours, at least they don't sunbathe topless in their gardens:)