Explore the complex relationship between humans and the sun, including historical attitudes towards sun exposure and the risks of excessive tanning. Learn about different types of skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma, and the characteristics that may indicate a risk. Discover the progress made in understanding our relationship with the sun and the importance of recognizing that skin cancer can occur in people of all skin colors.
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Quick takeaways
Attitudes towards sun exposure have shifted over time, influenced by social and cultural factors such as fashion and beauty standards.
The history of sunscreen use is complex, with conflicting messaging and persistent tanning practices contributing to rising rates of skin cancer.
While sunscreen can protect against various forms of sun damage and potentially reduce the risk of skin cancer, there is a need to improve awareness, compliance, and debunk myths surrounding its use.
Deep dives
Recognition of Skin Cancer
The term melanoma dates back to the Hippocratic texts from the 5th century BCE, indicating the early recognition of the disease. Pre-Columbian mummies from Peru also provide physical evidence of melanoma dating back approximately 2400 years. However, the link between sun exposure and melanoma was not established until the 19th century. Ancient cultures used plant extracts, clothing, and umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun's harmful effects.
Shift in Attitudes Towards Sun Exposure
Attitudes towards sun exposure underwent a significant shift in the early 20th century. Sun therapy, based on the belief in sunlight's healing properties, gained popularity. The discovery that UV light killed bacteria and fungi led to the invention of artificial sun lamps. Sun exposure was seen as a potential cure for tuberculosis. With the Industrial Revolution, pale skin became associated with the lower class, while a tan symbolized health and recreation for the upper class. Pale skin was no longer considered refined or beautiful, leading to the rise of sun lamps and UV bulbs in homes and businesses.
The Tan as a Fashion Trend
The fashion industry played a significant role in promoting the tan as a desirable aesthetic. Fashion icon Coco Chanel declared in 1929 that a tan was the index of chic and that a golden tan was a must-have for fashionable women. However, it is important to note that this trend predominantly applied to white women, reflecting systemic racism and beauty standards.
Beliefs about Sunlight's Health Benefits
Sunlight was believed to have numerous health benefits, from preventing colds and infections to improving metabolism and circulation. Heliotherapy and phototherapy, utilizing natural and artificial sunlight, were explored as potential treatments for various ailments, including tuberculosis, rickets, and ulcers. The practice of sunbathing, even for infants, became common, with mothers encouraged to expose their children to direct sunlight for extended periods.
The Rise and Complicated History of Tanning and Sunscreen Use
The history of tanning and sunscreen use is complex and multifaceted. In the early 1900s, tanning became a popular trend despite warnings about the risks of excessive exposure. The first sunscreens were developed and commercially sold in the 1940s, as a response to the growing awareness of the association between sun exposure and skin cancer. However, the messaging surrounding sun exposure and tanning remained conflicting, leading to continued tanning practices and rising rates of skin cancer. The tanning industry, including tanning beds and sun tan lotions, continued to thrive, despite the known risks. In recent years, awareness about sunscreen and its protective benefits has increased, but compliance with sunscreen use remains low, and there are still myths and misconceptions surrounding its efficacy and safety.
Skin Cancer Incidence and the Role of Sunscreen
Skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, continues to rise globally. While sunscreen has been shown to protect against UV radiation and reduce the risk of various forms of sun damage, it is challenging to study the specific impact of sunscreen on skin cancer prevention due to the long latency period of cancer development and the difficulty of conducting long-term studies. However, there is strong evidence supporting the protective effects of sunscreen in preventing photoaging, squamous cell carcinoma, and potentially melanoma. Additional research is ongoing in areas such as AI-assisted skin cancer detection and the development of more effective treatments. Despite these advancements, there remains a need to improve overall sunscreen awareness, compliance, and debunk myths surrounding its use.
For every article about the risks of sun exposure or a guide to sunscreens, you don’t have to look far to find one about the health benefits of sunshine or a how-to for achieving the best tan. Messaging around sun exposure is mixed, to say the least, and it’s no wonder that despite having more sun protection tools than ever before, rates of skin cancer have never been higher. In this episode, we delve into the relationship between UV radiation and skin cancers, answering your (sun)burning questions about the different types of cancers and how sunscreens actually work. We then explore the history of sun protective methods and how attitudes around tanning have changed dramatically over time. We wrap up the episode with a look at rates of skin cancers around the globe today and exciting research showing the benefits of sunscreens as well as how AI might be used to help diagnose skin cancer. Tune in for an info-packed episode that will have you reaching for that sunscreen bottle.
