The Shade Sail Boutique - UK

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Skin cancer - a global problem

In almost every part of the world skin cancer has been recognised as a growing problem. Since the 1960's scientific studies has investigaed the link between many forms of skin cancer and eposure to sunlight, and today this link is proven beyond reasonable doubt and accepted in almost scientific communities. A lot of the early impetus behind the research came from public health Australia as a result of their extremely high levels of skin cancer at that time. Once the link between sun light, and in particular the ultraviolet rays from the sun, was understood, the Austrlian government sought to put in place protections for their citizens. The search for workable solutions resulted in a number of innovations to protect the population in general, and children in particular.

Some of the changes were societal and educational. Using UV blocking sun screen became the norm, with parents ensuring their children were properly covered in sun block. Avoiding the sun at the hottest times of the day (between 11am and 4pm) became more common.

As well as these changes, new products were developed such as beach ware designed to block UV and a new fabric which could absorb and block UV. The new fabric, called HDPE, is the basic building block of modern shade sails. Since their invention by the austarlian company Gale Pacific in the late 1960’s, shade sails have become a very important defences against the sun’s harmful uv rays, and shade sails are now used extensively throughout Australia, South Africa, America and 40 other countries. These shade sails create shaded areas safe from UV rays and they are frequently seen in schools and childrens play areas. In someparts of Austrlia, shade sails are mandatory for protecting school play areas.

To develop shade sails to their full potential, Gale Pacific created a subdiary company, Coolaroo. Coolaroo now have tens of thousands of customers in every corner of th world, many attrated by the reputation ofthe company and the reliability of its products. Coolaroo shade sails are installed in many countries and in many setting including schools, local governments buildings and of course in homes around the world. Coolaroo make shade sails ti suite all needs and budgets.

When customers are looking for a shade solution, they find that there are many options available on the market. While some people choose to erect permanent structures made of brick or wood, more and more are looking at the shade sail as the perfect solution as it is generally easier to install and less expensive. Awnings are also a popular solution for creating shade, but these do not block UV. The shade sail is the only fabric that has been designed to block UV with the small holes in the knitted fabric ensuring that the air beneath remains as cool as possible.

The sun and skin cancer

The link between sun light and many forms of skin cancer has been well established for many years. Modern medical advances are now able to treat many cancers, including the majority of skin cancers, effectively especially if the cancer is identified in its early stages. If any cancer is not diagnosed in a timely manner, however, then skin cancer and all other cancers can pose a serious risk to health.

While many of us spend recreational time outdoors exposed to the sun, many other people work outdoors and for this group of people skin cancer can be seen as an occupational hazard. A significant number of professions require extended periods of time outdoors, and as parents, we all encourage our children to be outdoors as much as possible especially if the alternative is for them to sit in front of a TV or computer game. Spending time out of doors is desirable for many of us, but we wish to do so in a safe manner. Knowing what causes the problem allows us to take steps to mitigate these problems.

Solar radiation

The sun is responsible for several different types of radiation, the most relevant of which are :

• Light visible to humans. This light spectrum as demonstrated by rainsbows, allows us to see and to distinguish colours
• Infrared radiation. This invisible light spectrum gives us the warmth we feel
• Ultraviolet radiation (UV). This invisible light spectrum is largely unnoticed.

The sun's visible light and infrared radiation do not cause health problems for the vaste majority of the population. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation , however, is believed to be the main cause of numerous harmful effects to the skin, with these problems ranging from mild to very serious.

The sun's Ultraviolet rays

THe collective term Ultraviolet rays actually covers a number of very different types of radiation :

• Ultraviolet A radiation (also known as long-wave UV raditiona)
  • UVA radiation is not filtered by the earth's atmosphere
  • UVA radiation can pass through glass
  • UVA radition can be responsible for some tanning
  • UVA radiation was believed to be harmless, but data now suggests that exposure to UVA over a long period of time can be harmful
  • UVA radiation levels remains relatively constant
• Ultraviolet B radiation (also known as sunburn UV radiation)
  • UVB radiation is filtered by the earth's atmosphere's ozone layer
  • UVB radiation can not pass through glass
  • UVB radiation is responsible for most skin tanning, wrinkling, aging of the skin, sunburn and UVB is a mjor cause of some types of skin cancer
  • UVB radiation levels change during the day with the highest levels at midday
• Ultraviolet C radiation (also known as short-wave UV radiation)
  • UVC radiation is filtered by the earth's atmosphere's ozone layer
  • UVC radiation can be replicated artificial such a germicidal lamps (used to kill bacteria)
  • UVC radiation burns skin and is a major contributory factor for some types of skin cancer

Sunlight and our skin

When the sun's UV rays reach our skin, some of those rays will be reflected away with the remaining UV rays reaching the tissues just beneath the skin's outer layer. Whilst only a small amount of total UV rays are absorbed into the skin's living cells, even this small amount can have significant effects. Any UV rays that enter a living skin cell, may damage the sensitive substances within the cell, effecting how that skin cell grows and appears. This can result in a number of different effects as follows :

Sunburn

Sunburn can range from very mild to severe depending upon the strength of the UV it has been exposed to and the duration of that exposure. Sunburn is the most common result of exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Sunburn occurs when the blood-flow beneath the skin increases in response to the inflammation. This inflammation may not become apparent immediately, but will more likely become apparent within 15 to 20 hours of exposure to strong sunlight. At this point the skin may become painful and will turn a bright red colour, commonly also characterised by the peeling of the top layers of skin.

Depending upon the strength of the sunlight, even a short period of exposure canresult in quite severe sunburn, especially if the skin has not ben accustomed to strong sunlight. It is increasingly evident through scientific studies that sunburn can be a strong indicator of serious forms of skin cancer later in life.

Aging of the Skin

Long term exposure to strong sunlight canresult in t damge to the skin similar to the natural damage we all experience aswe get older. This is normally characterised by areas of skin becoming progressively thinner and less elastic, of the skin developing blemishes and wrinkles. These changes in the skin tone usually occur slowly over many years and are irreversible.

The most common forms of skin Cancer

We now know that skin which has been repeatedly subjected to strong sunlight over many years may be more susceptible to skin cancers. Medical studies are consistent in finding a strong link between UV radiation and a range of cancers, although other risk factors may also be responsible for the development of the cancers.

The population of countries such as Australia which benefit from strong sunlight are more likely to develop skin cancers. These cancers mainly occur on areas of the skin which are most often exposed to sunlight. Areas such as the ears, the forehead and the arms are the most common. Further conclusive proof of the link between UV rays and skin cancers have been proven by medical studies carried out on animals.

The exact cause of a cancer in any individual is very difficult to determine. Taking populations as a whole, however it is clear that even occasional over exposure to the sun's UV rays, especially if this occurs during childhood or adolescence, is an important factor in those patients suffering from two of the most common forms of skin cancer ; basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous malignant melanoma. People who are exposed to strong sunlight over a protracted time frame, such as people who work out doors, are more likely to develop squamous cell tumors.

Basal Cell Cancer
Basal Cell Cancer is the most prevalent cancer found in the populations of North America and Europe. This cancer usually occurs on areas frequently exposed to sunlight, but can also occur in other areas of the body. Basel cell skin cancer presents as a slightly raised, hard are of skin which appears as a red or red-grey wound. They are most commonly found on the forehead, the eyelids, the cheeks, the nose or the lips. Fortunately Basal cell skin cancer is often benign and rarely becomes serious. This particular cancer rarely spreads to other parts of the body so in the majority of cases it is easily cured.

Squamous cell cancer
This cancer is most commonly located on areas of the skin most often exposed to sunlight such as the forehead, the cheeks, the nose, the lower lip, and the tops of the ears. Squamous cell cancer seems to develop most commonly in areas where the skin has previously been damaged by sunburn. Typically this cancer presents as rough, scaly patches of skin with small areas of open wound that do not heal as quickly as normal although eventually crust will form. if referred to a doctor at an early stage, Squamous cell cancer can be removed and the patient will make a full recovery. The most dangerous variety of this cancer occurs on mucous membranes such as on the lower lip.

Malignant Melanoma
Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous of the skin cancers, although fortunately it is also the rarest. Malignant melanoma cancers often develop as moles which begin to bleed, change shape and change in colour or texture as they grow larger. They can spread to other parts of the body if not identified early on. Although scientists and medics do not fulls understand how this cancer and exposure to sun light is connected, there is a strong relationship between the development of these cancers and infrequent, intense exposure to strong sunlight. If this cancer is identified and treated early, then malignant melanoma is usually curable. If treatment is delayed, however, Malignant Melanoma can often be fatal. Risks of contracting skin cancer Medical research has established that there are four main factors influencing any particular persons risk of contracting skin cancer. These four major risks are : Skin pigment / the skin's ability to tan
Skin tans in two very different ways known as Immediate tanning or delayed tanning. Immediate tanning causes the skin to darken immediately in response to UVA when you are in the sunlight- this tanning then fades fairly rapidly within hours or days. The amount of immediate tanning depends upon the skin's natural pigment and the previous amount of tanning that has occurred. Delayed tanning most usually manifests between two to three days after the skin has been exposed to either UVA or UVB rays. This delayed tanning can remain for several weeks or months and it can be maintained by additional exposure to strong sunlight. When delayed tanning occurs, the distribution of dark pigment within the skin naturally increases and the skin will also thicken slightly. Delayed tanning generally develops over time as the skin experiences repeated brief exposures to strong sunlight.

While some people can sit in the sun seemingly for hours at a time, others burn after only a few minutes when exposed to strong sunlight. In Australia the cancer council of Victoria decided to create a skin classification system so that they could offer better advise to the 6 different skin categories that they identified.

• Category 1 : Very fair or pale white skin colour, often freckled
  • Skin always burns when exposed to strong sunlight, never tans
  • This group has the highest risk of developing skin cancers
• Category 2 : Fair, white skin colour
  • Skin burns easily when exposed to strong sunlight, tans minimally
  • This group has a high risk of developing skin cancers
• Category 3 : Light brown skin colour
  • Skin burns moderately when exposed to strong sunlight, usually tans
  • This group has a high risk of developing skin cancers
• Category 4 : Moderate brown skin colour
  • Skin burns minimally when exposed to strong sunlight, tans well
  • This group are at risk of developing skin cancers
• Category 5 : Dark brown skin colour
  • Skin rarely burns when exposed to strong sunlight
  • Skin cancers in this group are rare. Where they do occur there is a strong risk of late identification, so cancers can be more dangerous
  • Low vitamin D levels are more common in this group
• Category 6 : Deeply pigmented dark brown to black skin colour
  • Skin never burns when exposed to strong sunlight
  • Skin cancers in this group are rare. Where they do occur there is a strong risk of late identification, so cancers can be more dangerous
  • Low vitamin D levels are more common in this group

So the first groups in this series with lighter skin types are more likely to develop skin cancers, while darker skin types have a significantly lower risk. People in group 1 who have with fair skin and freckles are the most commonly linked to the development of malignant melanoma later in life, especially if they suffered repeated sunburn in childhood.

Is there link between heritage and the development of skin cancers ?

In short yes. This ancestral link is not fully understood, but it seems clear that individuals with Celtic heritage (comprising ancestors from Ireland, Scotland as well as other Northern European areas) are more likely to suffer from sun related skin cancers that the general population. An increased skin cancer risk has also been identified in groups with genetic diseases that affect the skin’s ability to tan. For example, people suffering with the genetic condition albinism (where normal skin pigments production is blocked) almost always have skin that burns rather than tans and which is extremely sensitive to ultraviolet light.

Is the skin damaged by everyday exposure to sunlight ?

Exposure to the sun's UV radiation will accumulate over the years. The more time we spend out doors in direct sunlight, and especially if the sunlight is very intense, then the greater will be our risks of developing skin cancers. The intensity of the sunlight is an important factor and this varies markedly depending upon the season, the time of day, your altitude above sea level and where about in the world you are (the equator and tropics have the strongest sunlight). Other factors such as cloud cover and the level of air pollution will also effect the intensity of sunlight, as will a large number of other more minor factors.

Most medical studies to date have focused on the effects of short-term, occasional exposure to the sun. This is much easier to quantify as the variables involved in long-term exposure are much more difficult to isolate for scientific purposes. From the studies to date, however, the evidence strongly suggests that how we are exposure to strong sunlight, especially below the age of around 20 years, can play a large part in the development of skin cancer, and particularly the type of skin cancer that may develop. Occasional exposure to strong sunlight, perhaps causing burning of the skin, seems to be a major factor for many basal cell carcinoma cancers. People who spend a lot time outdoors and experience long term exposure to sunlight are much more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma cancers.

The UV Index

Over recent decades many countries have become increasingly concerned regarding the depletion of the earth's ozone layer and the potential impact this may have on health. The ozone layer of the earth's atmosphere blocks certain types of UV radiation, reducing the amount of this radiation which reaching the planet's surface. To help quantify how much UV radiation is reaching the earth's surface on any given day, Canada, through their Environment agency, created a UV index which ranges from 0 (when there is no sunlight) to 11 and over (extreme). This UV index illustrates clearly to people the danger of the UV rays they are exposed to. For example, midday at the equator may have a UV index of up to 15, telling you to cover up and take precautions. The risk to human health for the various UV Index values are summarized below :

• UV index 0 to 2 : Low
  • Minimal sun protection will be necessary for normal activity
  • On brighter days sun glasses should be worn. If you plan to be out doors for a protracted period, you should consider the use of sunscreen
  • Winter ski often have a low UV index but this can be misleading as UV reflected from the snow can more than double the UV radiations you are subjected to. Skiers should act as the UV index is Moderate.
• UV index 3 to 5 : Moderate
  • You should take precautions wearing suitable clothing and sunglasses. You should use sunscreen if outside for more than 30 minutes
  • At midday when the sun is strongest you should consider finding a shaded area
• UV index 6 to 7 : High
  • Protection is required. UV radiation of this intensity will damage skin and cause sunburn in some groups with paler skin
  • You should avoid direct sunlight between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you are outdoors at these time seek shade, wear appropriate protective including sunglasses and sunscreen
• UV index 8 to 10 : Very High
  • Extra precautions are required. Unprotected skin will be damaged in a relatively short period of time with sunburn likely
  • You should avoid direct sunlight between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you are outdoors at these time seek shade, wear appropriate protective including sunglasses and sunscreen
• UV index 11 and over : Extreme
  • These values are rare in most parts of the world, but even so countries such as Australia, parts of Africa and the southern US states can reach UV index levels of 14 or even higher
  • All possible precautions should be taken. Unprotected skin will be damaged and sunburn can occur literally in minutes
  • Avoid the sun at the hottest parts of the day between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., always cover up and wear a sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Like snow, white sand and other bright surfaces can reflect the UV radiation, greatly increasing the amount of UV you can be exposed to.

h4>Reduce your risk of UV related skin cancer Skin cancers can often arise as a result of many years of exposure to the sun. As we now know of these risks, we should take reasonable precautions to protect ourselves and our families. It is important that children are protected from the sun's harmful UV rays when outside. There are various was to help prevent skin cancer as follows :

• Reduce the time you are exposed to sunlight, especially strong sunlight around midday
• If hiking or outside for a long time, wear UV protective clothing
• Always use a good quality sunscreen
• Check regularly for any irregularities and visit your doctor to check any suspicious spots
• Install a shade solution with UV protection in your garden

During hot summer days, choose a wide brimmed hat to shade area such as your ears and nose which are often forgotten. There are clothing ranges designed to protect against UV and these should be considered if you are visiting hotter countries. Wearing more clothing may not be comfortable in extremely hot weather, but they will help protect the skin and we should perhaps consider the various desert people of the world who all cover themselves in flowing robes regardless of the heat. Sunscreens should always be used as these have been developed specifically to reduce the effects of UV rays. You should take care when applying sunscreen as only those areas where the sunscreen has been applied will be protected. Sunscreens contain chemicals that weaken (but do not eliminate) the UV radiation which reaches the skin. There are a number of different chemicals used in sun screens to achieve this UV protections the most widely used of which are PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) chemicals. Other chemicals such as cinnamates, salicylates, benzophenones, or anthranilates are also frequently used and these have similar effects. While some sunscreens contain one of these chemicals, others contain two or more different chemicals and these sun screens are generally more reliable. In past decades people used products such as baby oil or skin oils to try and protect their skin, but these do not contain any protective chemicals, they do not block UV at all and they do not protect against sunburn. These products should be avoided as they do not protect you at all against the UV rays which are known to cause skin cancers.

Every sunscreens should clearly display its sun protection factor (SPF). The higher the SPF, the more protection will be given against the sun's harmful UV rays.

• SPF 15 sunscreen absorb 93 percent of UVB radiation
• SPF 30 sunscreen absorb 97 percent of UVB radiation

Cancer specialist strongly recommend the use of sunscreen which protect against both UVA and UVB rays, preferably with an SPF of at least 30, and the manufacturer’s instructions should always be adhere to. For example, most people do not realise that a sunscreen should usually be applied 20 minutes before the skin is exposed to sunlight, and the sun screen needs to be reapplied regularly especially if you are swimming.

For all types of cancer, early diagnosis is critical to successful treatment. You should regularly check your skin any of the warning signs including

• a patch of skin that appears to be a small would that doesn't heal quickly or an area of skin that constantly scales
• any lump on the surface of the skin, especially if the lump appears brown or bluish in colour

It is very important that that you talk to your doctor if you find anything as soon as possible. Most referrals are not dangerous but no Doctor will complain if a patient makes an appointment if they are worried about a skin problem. Skin cancer, like every other type of cancer, will not improve with time or go away.