Breaking out the irons might be breaking down your skin's defenses. Two recent studies have teed off a warning to golfers: spending hours on the course could be putting you at a substantially higher risk for skin cancer. According to a report from FOX 10 Phoenix, Arizona golfers are stepping onto the green under high stakes, and we're not just talking about the scorecard. Researchers found that a striking 27% of golfers have been diagnosed with skin cancer, whereas only 7% of the general population has faced the same diagnosis. That's a difference that's hard to ignore.
Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center is now driving efforts to bolster sun safety awareness, especially with Arizona State's golf team. "If you have blistering sunburn, that increases your skin cancer risk significantly more," Dr. Mark Gimbel, a surgical oncologist at Banner MD Anderson, told the team according to the FOX 10 Phoenix coverage. Under the Arizona sun, golfers are vulnerable to extensive ultraviolet radiation exposure, which can have daunting repercussions for their skin health.
Meanwhile, our friends down under in Australia are teeing up similar concerns. A lecturer in health and human performance at the University of South Australia in Adelaide, Brad Stenner spearheaded a study, highlighting the vulnerability of golfers to skin cancer risks. With over 25% of Aussie golfers reporting skin cancer diagnoses, it's clear this isn't just a localized issue. Stenner emphasized, "Anytime you spend time in the sun, unprotected, increases your risk of skin cancer," in a statement obtained by PowersHealth.org.
The takeaway is both clear, and urgent: it's time to play it safe. Dr. Gimbel is schooling players on proactive measures – think clothing with upfits, broad-brimmed hats, and diligent sunscreen application. "We like mineral base because it's a little thicker," he noted in the FOX 10 Phoenix report, signalling a preference for more heavy-duty sun protection. Stenner's message aligns closely with Gimbel’s, as he also heralds the value of high SPF sunscreens, sunglasses, and protective clothing.
Experts are driving home the importance of these strategies. For instance, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Ashani Weeraratna underscored the life-saving potential of protective measures, advising, "I can’t emphasize enough the importance of SPF, whether in your clothing, your sunblock,” in the study shared by PowersHealth.org.
