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Environmental Risk Factors for Skin Cancer

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Skin Carcinogenesis in Man and in Experimental Models

Part of the book series: Recent Results in Cancer Research ((RECENTCANCER,volume 128))

Abstract

That chronic exposure to environmental agents can lead to the development of skin cancer in humans has been known for more than 200 years, since Percival Pott described scrotal cancer in chimney sweeps in 1775. Today, the evidence is convincing that the vast majority of skin cancers are due to chronic repeated exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Skin cancers are most prevalent on light complexioned, easily sunburning individuals, and in those who receive the most solar exposure, whether because of occupational or deliberate social reasons. Furthermore, non-melanoma skin cancers occur primarily on sunlight-exposed sites. The recent significant decrease in stratospheric ozone, which increases transmitted short-wavelength UV radiation, has the potential of significantly increasing skin cancer incidence in the future. The dose-response relationships and epidemiologic features of UV-induced skin cancers will be discussed here. Other environmental causes for skin cancer development are exposure to chemicals (polycyclic hydrocarbons derived from the incomplete combustion or distillation of coal or petroleum; inorganic arsenic and photosensitizing agents such as psoralens). In the past, occupational or therapeutic exposure to ionizing radiation has caused skin cancer. Finally, there is some evidence that intense, chronic infrared radiation can enhance the development of skin cancer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Temple Medical Practices, 220 Commerce Drive, Fort Washington, PA, 19034, USA

    F. Urbach

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  1. F. Urbach
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division: Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis, Research Program 3: Risk Factors of Cancer and Cancer Prevention, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, W-6900, Heidelberg, Germany

    Erich Hecker

  2. Department of Dermatology, Mannheim Medical School, University of Heidelberg, Postfach 10 80 23, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer, W-6800, Mannheim, Germany

    E. G. Jung (Director) (Director)

  3. Division: Biochemistry of Tissue Specific Regulation, Research Program 2: Tumor Cell Regulation, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, W-6900, Heidelberg, Germany

    F. Marks

  4. Department of Dermatology, University of Heidelberg, Voss-Str. 2, W-6900, Heidelberg, Germany

    W. Tilgen

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© 1993 Springer-Verlag Berlin · Heidelberg

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Urbach, F. (1993). Environmental Risk Factors for Skin Cancer. In: Hecker, E., Jung, E.G., Marks, F., Tilgen, W. (eds) Skin Carcinogenesis in Man and in Experimental Models. Recent Results in Cancer Research, vol 128. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-84881-0_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-84881-0_18

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-84883-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-84881-0

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