Sun Exposure, Vitamin D And The Outcome Of Prostate Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$494,698.00
Summary
We will find out whether hours of sun exposure, reported in a standard interview by men with prostate cancer, reduces prostate cancer recurrence and progression. For any effect of sun exposure ithat we observe, we will find out whether it works through vitamin D, which is produced by sunshine on the skin, or is affected by changes in the vitamin D receptor gene, which produces the protein the binds with vitamin D on cells and makes it work. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in Aus ....We will find out whether hours of sun exposure, reported in a standard interview by men with prostate cancer, reduces prostate cancer recurrence and progression. For any effect of sun exposure ithat we observe, we will find out whether it works through vitamin D, which is produced by sunshine on the skin, or is affected by changes in the vitamin D receptor gene, which produces the protein the binds with vitamin D on cells and makes it work. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in Australia, and this study, using two of the largest collections of clinical outcomes data for this disease, will inform researchers, clinicians and consumers about the possible benefits of sun exposure and Vitamin D in the prevention of recurrence or progression of prostate cancer. On present evidence, these effects are very plausible possibilities. It may also identify sub-groups of men in whom sun exposure or vitamin D might be particularly beneficial in improving outcome of prostate cancer.Read moreRead less
DNA Damage Induced By UVA And UVB In Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$65,000.00
Summary
Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world. This results from immigration of individuals with fair skin to Australia. Skin cancer is three times as common as all other cancers combined. Overall, the incidence of skin cancer continues to rise in Australia and it will be several years before the true effectiveness of preventative programs are known. In the meantime, 1000 Australians die each year from skin cancer. Modern sunscreens, even those with high SPF and labelled as bro ....Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world. This results from immigration of individuals with fair skin to Australia. Skin cancer is three times as common as all other cancers combined. Overall, the incidence of skin cancer continues to rise in Australia and it will be several years before the true effectiveness of preventative programs are known. In the meantime, 1000 Australians die each year from skin cancer. Modern sunscreens, even those with high SPF and labelled as broad spectrum do not protect very well from UVA, though they are very effective UVB filters. Most sunscreens absorb or reflect only about 50% as much UVA as UVB. Thus sunscreen use alters the spectrum of UV received. This is an important issue, because if sunscreens are used to prolong sun exposure they will selectively increase the amount of UVA reaching the skin, and the sun contains a lot more UVA than UVB. There is only limited evidence to suggest they protect from skin cancer in humans whereas there is good evidence that they protect from precursor lesions. We have developed a new hypothesis, that UVB is primarily responsible for development of preneoplastic lesions (solar keratosis and dysplastic nevi) whereas UVA plays a relatively more important role in their progression to malignancy. This hypothesis would explain why sunscreens are more effective at preventing nevi and solar keratosis formation than they are at preventing melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Until the action spectrum defining the wavelengths responsible for skin cancer induction is known, the optimal methods for protection from skin cancer will be difficult if not impossible to design. That different wavelengths may be involved in different phases of skin cancer development in humans is a novel hypothesis: if it is correct it will have profound implications for both the design of sunscreens and our current public health programmes for skin cancer prevention.Read moreRead less
The Ability Of Sunscreens To Protect Against The Induction Of Solar Irradiation-induced Melanocytic Naevi In Vivo.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$106,854.00
Summary
Melanoma is an increasing problem in Australia. Strong evidence supports the finding that the number of moles on skin is a good indicator of future melanoma risk and a short term marker of adverse reactions to melanoma-inducing sun exposure in humans. While recommendations for sun protection have been proposed for many years, it is currently unknown what component of sunlight induces melanoma or whether sunscreens protect against the formation of melanoma. Using an animal model for human moles o ....Melanoma is an increasing problem in Australia. Strong evidence supports the finding that the number of moles on skin is a good indicator of future melanoma risk and a short term marker of adverse reactions to melanoma-inducing sun exposure in humans. While recommendations for sun protection have been proposed for many years, it is currently unknown what component of sunlight induces melanoma or whether sunscreens protect against the formation of melanoma. Using an animal model for human moles of the skin we aim in contributing to the answers of these two questions .Read moreRead less