It's not surprising marathon runners face an increased risk of skin cancer due to long-term sun exposure. What's surprising is that so many are not taking measures to protect themselves from the sun's damaging rays.A team of Austrian researchers, all of them dermatologists, became interested in studying long-distance runners when they realized they had collectively treated eight ultra-marathon runners with malignant skin cancer over a period of 10 years. All researchers are themselves enthusiastic runners, and two of them participate in marathons. The topic was near and dear to their hearts.
Research was conducted on white runners, so it is unclear if the findings -- listed below -- apply to black runners.
- Only 56 percent of runners in the study reported wearing sunscreen. Most were unaware of the increased risk to their skin -- and even the running researchers report it is good to be reminded to wear the right gear and regularly use sunscreen
- Many runners race with a lot of skin exposed. And sometimes training clothing covers different areas than racing clothing. Shoulders that are covered during training may be exposed during the long hours of a marathon. During triathlons, most wear a bathing suit for the duration of the event, leaving most skin susceptible to burning. Runners can lower their risk by training during morning and evening hours and wearing water-resistant sunscreen. They can wear clothing made of new fabrics that screen harmful ultraviolet rays.
- It's possible that endurance athletes may have suppressed immune systems caused by repeated tissue damage, leaving them more vulnerable to skin cancer.
1. This blog draws attention to important points about sun exposure during long running events and skin cancer, but there is a flip side.
The flip side is that using sun blocking lotion regularly tends to decrease vitamin D production by the skin, and that is associated with increases in a number of cancers and other health conditions.
For years before I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, I used sun blocking lotion regularly during the warmer months as I was on the track or out in the open for workouts of a half hour to an hour for racewalking, which, of course, takes considerably longer than running, mile for mile. I suspect that blocking the sun was one factor contributing to my developing an aggressive case of prostate cancer.
I'm now supplementing with vitamin D3, and have recently increased the dosage to about 4,000 per day, which seems appropriate in my circumstances. I also get my vitamin D level tested regularly.
Jim Waldenfels (website: http://www.mycancerplace.com/profile.php?id=147)
Posted at 3:55PM on Dec 5th 2006 by Jim Waldenfels