title: Photoprotection in immunocompetent and immunocompromised people.
abstract: Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure from the sun and artificial UV sources has been widely acknowledged as the major culprit for skin cancer and premature skin ageing. Skin cancers are among the most dangerous (cutaneous malignant melanoma) and the most numerous (basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis and invasive squamous cell carcinoma) of all neoplasms in the caucasian population worldwide. Skin cancers therefore have a significant impact on public health and healthcare costs, and will continue to do so. It is obvious that adequate photoprotection - seeking shade, wearing protective clothing and using sunscreens - is the key to reducing the harmful effects of UVR in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised people. This article provides background information on UVR, photoprotection (including the concept of topical sunscreen formulations), associated concerns regarding efficacy and safety, and behavioural and educational aspects of photoprotection and skin cancer prevention in immunocompetent and immunocompromised people. Certain persistent misconceptions and mistakes regarding photoprotection are also addressed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Basel University Hospital, Petersgraben 4, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland. christian.surber@unibas.ch
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Surber
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ulrich
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hinrichs
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stockfleth
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016867:Immunocompromised Host / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011481:Protective Clothing; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents