title: Solar keratoses. The association with erythemal ultraviolet radiation in Australia.
abstract: The prevalence rate of solar keratoses among 2000 residents of Melbourne, Australia, was compared to the rate among 2113 residents of Maryborough, a north central Victorian city. There was a significantly higher prevalence rate among the Australian-born population of Maryborough compared with Melbourne residents of the same age, sex, country of birth, and level of outdoor activity. Calculation of the erythemal ultraviolet radiation level revealed a 14.2% increase in the dose in Maryborough compared with that in Melbourne. These figures demonstrate a significant increase in the rate of solar keratoses, and thus the potential for the development of skin cancer, in all of the age groups studied. The difference was associated with a relatively small increase in ultraviolet radiation between two areas that are separated by a latitude distance of only 110 km.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007642:Keratosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects