Of course Sweden does not provide that hot, hot heat that some of us are used to. But because we happen to live in Sweden, where the weather is milder and the sun not as strong, it does not mean that you don’t have to protect yourself from those harmful UV rays.

US researchers have studied the likelihood of people with dark skin to develop skin cancer and have found that it is less common, but when it does occur it is more aggressive because it is usually diagnosed later.

Dark skin 'does not block cancer

It is a regular misconception that people with dark skin are more tolerant to UV rays. However, according to Dr. Hugh Gloster people with darker skin are actually more likely to die from skin cancer than those with fair skin. This was published in a study made by him and a fellow researcher in 2006 at Cincinnati University in Ohio.

“Minorities do get skin cancer, and because of this false perception most cases aren’t diagnosed until they are more advanced and difficult to treat”, said Dr. Gloster.

The report explains that dark skin has increased epidermal melanin, which provides a natural skin protection factor (SPF) of more than 13 in dark-skinned blacks. It also filters twice as much UV radiation as white skin, which has far less melanin.

Dr. Gloster pointed out that physicians should stress to their patients that regular use of sun cream and self skin checks for changes in moles and skin texture is very important for everyone regardless of their colour.

“Dermatologists are seeing an increased number of skin cancer cases in women under 30 and most are either former tanning bed users or people who don’t regularly use sunscreen”, said Dr. Gloster.

He also added that it is imperative to increase public awareness of skin cancer amongst minorities in order to decrease skin cancer-related deaths.

This report is a couple of years old. However, all of us at urbanlife.se believe it highlights facts that have not gone out of fashion.

The UV rays remain just as harmful, so protect yourself and look after those around you!

Skin cancer research in Sweden

In Sweden the most common cancer to be diagnosed in increasing numbers is skin cancer. Researchers in Sweden believe the reason for this could be new holiday destinations and the fact that people travel to places where they are more susceptible to stronger UV rays. The average yearly increase over the last twenty years in Malignant Melanoma cases was 2.3 per cent amongst men and 2.1 per cent amongst women.

In the last decade the yearly increase has risen to 3.0 per cent amongst men and 2.9 per cent amongst women. Other forms of skin cancer have seen a significant yearly increase by 3.2 per cent amongst men and up to 4.0 per cent amongst women during the last two decades.

Different types of skin cancer

The most common types of skin cancer are “Basal Cell Carcinoma” (BCC) and “Squamous Cell Carcinoma” (SCC). These may be locally disfiguring but are unlikely to spread to other parts of the body. The most dangerous form of skin cancer is “Malignant Melanoma”, which is causing the major part of all skin cancer fatalities. There are some other rare types of skin cancer, such as “Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans”, “Merkel Cell Carcinoma” and “Kaposi’s Sarcoma”. The Malignant Melanoma is predominantly caused by UV-A radiation.

Products to buy in Scandinavia

There are some products made in Scandinavia that you might find useful this summer. For example, check out the sun cream from “Rosen Serie”, which is an organic brand making body and hair products. This product has not been tested on animals and its natural UV-filter is taken from Shea nut butter and jojoba oil. It also uses rose oil, which is tolerated by many people with scent allergies.

There are also sun protection summer clothes to buy for your children. As many of you are probably aware these are very common in other countries already and was a late arrival in Sweden. Considering the long winters there isn’t much need for them for most part of the year.

But if you don’t want to keep re-applying that sun block then have a look at “Sunmate Badkläde” for a fun way to keep your children safe.

Their swimwear is comfortable to wear and has attractive designs in fun colours. The fabrics are rated with a maximum Ultraviolet Protection Factor of 50+ in accordance to the Australian Radiation Laboratory. The fabrics have been developed over a long time and are thoroughly tested.

So get out and start enjoying the Swedish sun safely now... while it lasts!

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