Vitamin D--an emerging issue in skin cancer control. Implications for public health practice based on the Australian experience.
Over recent years, the evidence has been accumulating that vitamin D has a positive impact on our health. This is likely to have an impact on the future of our public health advice related to skin cancer prevention. This paper explores, from a public health perspective based on Australian experience, how skin cancer prevention messages need to be managed in light of new information about vitamin D and in particular, the times when sun protection advice should be provided. Conclusions are drawn in relation to how the vitamin D message can be complementary to the sun protection message and explores what health practitioners should do in light of artificial tanning sunbeds being a potential source of vitamin D.
Sinclair
Craig
C
The Cancer Council Victoria, Carlton, Australia.
D001315:Australia; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D011322:Primary Prevention; D011634:Public Health; D015980:Public Health Practice; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000209:etiology*
D013473:Sunscreening Agents; D014807:Vitamin D