Skin Cancer and Enviornment

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2023) | Viewed by 17301

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Tumor Biology, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
Interests: melanoma; melanin biochemistry; skin pigmentation; melanin chemiexcitation; human genetics; and environmental carcinogenicity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Tumor Biology, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
Interests: tumor biology; melanoma; skin cancers; photobiology; photochemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight is a major environmental risk factor for skin cancers. It damages the DNA directly and indirectly, triggering multiple carcinogenic cellular processes. The most prominent type of direct DNA damage is cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), which leads to UV signature mutations that constitute >80% of all mutations in sunlight-induced skin cancers.  Indirectly, UV generates ROS which damages the DNA oxidatively. Recently, it was discovered that UV-induced ROS can also generate CPDs indirectly, by oxidizing melanin into a high-energy molecular species, suggesting that the extent of UV-induced DNA damage has always been underestimated. 

Owing to several open-ended aspects, this Special Issue will focus on the full extent of DNA damage induced by UV, its repair by the nucleotide excision repair pathway, the role of ROS molecules in the overall process, and the interaction between skin pigments and sunlight.

Dr. Sanjay Premi
Dr. Jyoti Srivastava
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • ultraviolet (UV) radiation
  • DNA damage
  • UV signature mutations
  • skin pigmentation
  • melanin biochemistry
  • skin cancer
  • melanoma

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 3737 KiB  
Communication
Possible Explanations for Rising Melanoma Rates Despite Increased Sunscreen Use over the Past Several Decades
by Rebecca Lapides, Babak Saravi, Alina Mueller, Michael Wang-Evers, Lara Valeska Maul, István Németh, Alexander Navarini, Dieter Manstein and Elisabeth Roider
Cancers 2023, 15(24), 5868; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15245868 - 16 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2891
Abstract
The incidence of cutaneous melanoma continues to rise despite the increased use of sunscreens within the last several decades. Some research even suggests that the use of sunscreen is associated with increased rates of melanoma. Given the aggressive, and often deadly, nature of [...] Read more.
The incidence of cutaneous melanoma continues to rise despite the increased use of sunscreens within the last several decades. Some research even suggests that the use of sunscreen is associated with increased rates of melanoma. Given the aggressive, and often deadly, nature of cutaneous melanoma, the aim of this communication is to better elucidate the relationship between sunscreen use and melanoma development and if there are other preventative measures to be aware of. A search was performed to identify the studies that have investigated melanoma development in individuals who used sunscreen and those who did not. Study limitations and possible confounding variables were identified, which guided a subsequent search to determine what data were available to support that these limitations and confounding variables may explain the perplexing association between sunscreen use and melanoma development. Five hypotheses were generated, which were related to increased awareness and reporting, the relationship between sunscreen use and the duration of sun exposure, the importance of broad-spectrum protection, and the effect of sunscreen on reactive oxygen species formation. The main conclusion is that more recent studies that control for confounding variables are required to determine the true effect of adequate broad-spectrum sunscreen use today on the development of melanoma. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Skin Cancer and Enviornment)
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16 pages, 306 KiB  
Article
Understanding the Perceived Relationship between Sun Exposure and Melanoma in Atlantic Canada: A Consensual Qualitative Study Highlighting a “Sunscreen Paradox”
by Sauliha Alli, Jonathan LeBeau, Agustina Hasbani, François Lagacé, Ivan V. Litvinov and Sandra Peláez
Cancers 2023, 15(19), 4726; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15194726 - 26 Sep 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 8551
Abstract
Globally, cutaneous melanoma (CM) incidence is increasing, with sun exposure identified as a key modifiable risk factor. The Atlantic provinces of Canada display varied CM incidence rates: New Brunswick aligns with the national average, while Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island exceed it, [...] Read more.
Globally, cutaneous melanoma (CM) incidence is increasing, with sun exposure identified as a key modifiable risk factor. The Atlantic provinces of Canada display varied CM incidence rates: New Brunswick aligns with the national average, while Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island exceed it, and Newfoundland and Labrador fall below this benchmark. We investigated the relationship between sun exposure and CM in these provinces. Twenty-two focus groups encompassing 95 Atlantic Canada residents were conducted and transcribed. A thematic analysis was conducted in MAXQDA using the social–ecological model as a framework. Residents of high-CM incidence provinces demonstrated greater sun exposure awareness, consulting UV indices, and using sunscreen and sun-protective clothing. However, they received greater UV exposure due to warmer climates and outdoor work and cultural activities. Conversely, those in low-incidence provinces used sunscreen and sun-protective clothing less often, engaged in occupations and hobbies affording less sun exposure, and lived in cooler climates. Our data supports a possible “sunscreen paradox”, whereby increased sunscreen use is correlated with augmented sun exposure, leading to a deceptive sense of security. Public health initiatives in Atlantic Canada promoting sun safety must address this paradox while integrating community-specific behaviors and norms in order to develop tailored campaigns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Skin Cancer and Enviornment)
13 pages, 3433 KiB  
Article
Assessing Skin Cancer Risk Factors, Sun Safety Behaviors and Melanoma Concern in Atlantic Canada: A Comprehensive Survey Study
by François Lagacé, Bibi Nuzha Noorah, Santina Conte, Lorena Alexandra Mija, Jasmine Chang, Leila Cattelan, Jonathan LeBeau, Joël Claveau, Irina Turchin, Wayne Gulliver, Robert Gniadecki, Elena Netchiporouk, Wilson H. Miller Jr., Thomas G. Salopek, Elham Rahme, Sandra Peláez and Ivan V. Litvinov
Cancers 2023, 15(15), 3753; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15153753 - 25 Jul 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5097
Abstract
Background: The incidence of cutaneous melanoma (CM) is increasing at an alarming rate in Canada and elsewhere around the world. Significant regional differences in CM incidence have been identified in Atlantic provinces. The goal of this study is to compare ultraviolet exposure, sun [...] Read more.
Background: The incidence of cutaneous melanoma (CM) is increasing at an alarming rate in Canada and elsewhere around the world. Significant regional differences in CM incidence have been identified in Atlantic provinces. The goal of this study is to compare ultraviolet exposure, sun protective behaviours, level of worry and baseline CM knowledge in provinces with a high versus low incidence of CM as well, as between various demographic groups. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted in Atlantic provinces between July 2020 and August 2022. All participants aged ≥ 16 years with a completed survey were eligible. Survey responses were summarized using frequency counts, percentages, and means. Two-sided Z-tests for equality of proportions and logistic regression models were used to compare the survey results between geographic and demographic groups. Results: In total, 7861 participants were included (28.0% men; mean age 61.3 years; response rate 28%). Our results (gender- and age-adjusted odds ratio, 95% confidence interval) show that high-incidence provinces for CM (Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia) had significantly more sunburns (OR 2.00, 1.72–2.31), total sun exposure (OR 2.05, 1.68–2.50), recreational sun exposure (OR 1.95, 1.61–2.35) and tans (OR 1.77, 1.53–2.05) than individuals in low-incidence provinces (Newfoundland and Labrador). However, individuals in high-incidence provinces displayed more protective behaviors: there were less tanning bed users (OR 0.82, 0.71–0.95), they checked their skin more frequently for new moles (OR 1.26, 1.06–1.51) and practiced more sun protection overall. Additional analyses are presented based on education, income, sexual orientation and gender. Discussion: These findings suggest that future efforts aimed at reducing the CM burden in Atlantic Canada should be tailored for target geographic and/or demographic groups. Limitations: the study participants are not representative of the population in Atlantic Canada due to recruitment strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Skin Cancer and Enviornment)
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