Health Solutions Live

The amount of natural sunlight that comes into the driver’s side of automobiles in the U.S. might increase the risk of developing skin cancers on the left part of the body and face, a new study tells us.

Researchers looked at the records of over one thousand patients referred to a skin cancer unit at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. They found more cases of left-side skin cancers than right-side skin cancers for both genders, even though the effect was higher for men.

“We tend to see more skin cancer on the left side of the face,” says Scott Fosko, MD, chairman of dermatology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and co-author of the study. “The cumulative effect of being exposed to the sun builds up over many years.”

Fosko goes on to say that people should apply sunscreens that protect against UVA and UVB rays every day to minimize the risk of skin cancer. Taking a few minutes to read a product’s label can allow people to assure that the sunscreen prevents against both.

A press release from a Saint Louis University regarding the study states that carpooling mothers and people who commute daily should pay heed to this, not just professional drivers.
Sunscreens protect against premature wrinkling and aging as well, Fosko says. He also suggests the use of protective clothing whenever possible, as well as tinting car windows and using UV filters on the glass to aid in minimizing harmful UV rays.

“Professional drivers learn to wear proper safety equipment, be it gloves, steel-toed boots or safety glasses when appropriate,” Fosko says in the news release. “Sunscreen should be added to the list. An ounce of sunscreen applied as prevention on the road can be worth a lot of time and expense parked in a doctor’s office later on.”

The study found that there were many more cases of skin cancers formed on the left side of the body than on the right in men, especially on the exposed parts of the head and neck. However, there was no remarkable difference measured in women. This higher rate of skin cancer found on the left side in men as opposed to women might be explained by men’s propensity for sitting on the driver’s side of the car, the researchers say.

They also point out that side windows of cars are made from non-laminated clear glass, which blocks UVB but allows 63% of UVA rays to pass through.

REFERENCE: Bill Hendrick (2010) Sun Exposure While Driving Linked To Cancer Retrieved from: http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/news/20100514/sun-exposure-while-driving-linked-to-cancer?ecd=wnl_day_051710