Sun exposure within the workplace is costing Australian businesses millions of dollars
AUSTRALIAN researchers have discovered a Vitamin D-like compound that can be put into sunscreen and after-sun lotion to reduce the DNA damage that leads to skin cancer.
Early indications suggest the compound, which could be on the market in two years, can also cause a reduction in photo-ageing, like the wrinkles and dark spots caused by too much sun exposure over a lifetime.
Where to live for better health
Costs of treating skin cancer to reach $700 million
Professor Rebecca Mason at Sydney University's Bosch Institute for Medical Research says studies have found the Vitamin D-like compound can "reduce DNA skin damage by 50 per cent and probably by more than 60-80 per cent''.
Her research group has a grant from the Australian Research Council and its commercial partner, Ultraceuticals, to develop the discovery and explore putting it into sunscreen and after-sun products.
"It will enhance the body's own defences against sun damage,'' Prof Mason said.
She said the find comes as more and more Australians are not getting enough sun exposure to produce adequate levels of Vitamin D - potentially making us sick.
A recent study of more than 24,000 NSW blood samples showed 58 per cent had low Vitamin D levels (62 per cent for women) in spring - with the figure only dipping to 36 per cent (42 per cent for women) in summer.
"Many Australians do not realise that they don't have adequate vitamin D levels. A lot of people simply don't get outside much, or are not out at times of the day when sunlight can help make vitamin D, or don't have much skin exposed,'' Prof Mason said.
Vitamin D deficiency is not only linked to poor bone health but also implicated in multiple sclerosis, breast cancer, diabetes, heart disease and depression.
Sun smart ... watch your vitamin D levels
A Danish study found particularly low Vitamin D levels increased the risk of dying by 30 per cent, while other research has shown a 7-10 per cent reduction in deaths among people given Vitamin D and calcium supplements.
Australian Medical Association president Dr Steve Hambleton said doctors are now very aware of the need to focus on Vitamin D and the role it plays in good health.
"If you've got low Vitamin D you don't absorb calcium from the gut and you start taking it from the bones,'' he said.
The babies of pregnant women who had poor levels of Vitamin D were at risk of poor bone mineralisation and low blood calcium levels, he said.
The chair of the Cancer Council's skin cancer committee Terry Slevin said it was important people did not get confused by the new research on low vitamin D levels and forget to protect themselves from the sun.
Date/Time: 2007:05:16 17:05:01
He cautioned there is still debate about what level of Vitamin D is truly a deficiency and concerns about the accuracy of current testing procedures.
"There is a general perception that Australians have moved from being sun bronzed Aussies in the 1960s to souls cowering in the cupboard under the stairs avoiding the sun like Dracula in the noughties,'' he said. ``We are making progress but it is important to understand that skin cancer rates are going up."
More than 1,800 people die from skin cancer each year.
Prof Mason said: "Short but regular sunlight exposures of a few (5-10) minutes if you have white skin, to as much body surface as possible, but at least most of the arms or an equivalent area, mid-morning or mid-afternoon in summer is best for making vitamin D and causes least damage to skin."
Getting enough sun
JUST 5-10 minutes of sun on the arms is required either mid morning or mid afternoon.
PEOPLE with darker skin need 15-60 minutes a day.
MORE sun exposure is required in winter, between seven and 30 minutes a day at midday.
LESS is required in northern Australia, more is required in southern states.
Too much sun
THERE were over 835,000 Medicare services provided for treating non-melanoma skin cancer at a cost of over $583 million, according to 2012 data.
TREATMENTS have more than doubled since 1997.
AT the same time over 10,000 cases of melanoma have been diagnosed
1,800 people die from the cancer each year.
What is vitamin D?
KNOWN as the "sunshine vitamin" because the body makes it when skin is directly exposed to sun
FOUND naturally in very few foods and also available as a supplement
HELPS maintain strong bones by helping the body absorb calcium
ALSO important for muscle movement, the nervous system and the immune system
DEFICIENCY may lead to soft, thin, and brittle bones
STUDIES underway to see if it has a role in cancer, diabetes, depression and multiple sclerosis
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