Is Skin Cancer Common Among European Brazilians ?

Question

I ask because it must not be easy to have white skin and live in a country as hot as Brazil where the sun shines very strong.

Answer 1

Yes it is. My dad had skin cancer, and his hometown is known as one of the worst percentages of skin cancer in the world: Santa Leopoldina and Santa Teresa, at Espirito Santo state.

Answer 2

European Brazilians usually use cream, Sundown etc. It helps.

Answer 3

Southern Europe can be hot at times, but the summer is not as prolonged as in certain regions of Brazil.

Yes there is a lot of skin cancer.

There is also a lot of education regarding sun block etc.

I'm 42, not much of a beach animal, but have so many freckles it's scarry. I've had some "weird" moles removed in the past.

Both my parents were born in Europe.

Answer 4

Yes, it is very common.

Skin cancer on Brazilian people could happen due to the Southern Atlantic Anomaly

(from http://personals.galaxyinternet.net/tung... page 3)

"A South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) is a region with a major depression in Earth’s magnetic field strength. This region is located in the South Atlantic Ocean centered just to the East of Brazil. The horizontal intensity of the magnetic field (the component that shields against proton penetration) has declined dramatically at this location falling from 22,553 nT down to 14,827 nT during the past 100 years. This is a drop of 34.3% in horizontal field intensity. (Geomag program, IGRF dataset, latitude 30O S, longitude 30O W, altitude 50 km [top of stratosphere], years 1905-2005).

As the Earth’s magnetic field weakens, less energetic protons in solar and galactic cosmic rays become capable of penetrating the upper atmosphere and driving deep into the stratosphere, producing an increase in the ozone depleting chemical, nitric oxide. SPE’s and supernovas that produce cosmic rays have left behind an observable fingerprint (nitrate spike) as a proxy in the ice cores. The Earth’s magnetic field protects the planet from ozone destroying cosmic rays. But the Earth’s magnetic field has been weakening significantly; the field is currently asymmetric; and local magnetic field reversals have begun to appear. The recent decline in ozone layer density is a natural process and is due to the weakening in the Earth’s magnetic field strength."

We, Southern Brazilians, are highly concerned about skin protection at summer and winter. I was alerted since I can remember about the high radiation coming from the sky above. I live in Santa Catarina and I've also suffered the high radiation. I've got white skin which get easily sunburn, but I fortunately don't have skin cancer. But my cornea has got some small lesions  when I was eleven, in a sunny day, while playing in the pool at noon.

hope this helps.

Answer 5

Skin Cancer has become a major concern among all people in Brazil.  They use sun screen every day, even when not on the beach.  When traveling there, but sure to take plenty along because it is very expensive in Brazil.

Answer 6

Yes, it is. One of my best friends died because of skin cancer three years ago.

If you are coming to Brazil for holiday, make sure to use sunblock and do not take sunbath between 10 am to 04 pm.  But I think the Australian people have the same problem there. Brazil has a similar weather to the Australian.

Answer 7

Yes, I had 2 uncles with that problem, and they were Italian descendants (from both sides mother and father) living in Brazil and working with construction, so they stayed in the sun a lot.

If someone is very light, this person has to wear a sunscreen of at least 40 on the face and more sensitive areas, like shoulders and neck, to go out.

And even inside the house, we are still exposed to sunlight, but mainly when going out we have all to apply sunscreen on, but especially the very light ones.

Answer 8

Ever been to Southern Europe? It's hotter there than in Brazil