The Epidemiology of Skin Cancer and Public Health Strategies for Its Prevention in Southern Africa

Caradee Y. Wright, D. Jean du Preez, Danielle A. Millar and Mary Norval
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Caradee Y. Wright: Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
D. Jean du Preez: Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
Danielle A. Millar: Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Mary Norval: Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Edinburgh EH8 9AG UK

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: Skin cancer is a non-communicable disease that has been underexplored in Africa, including Southern Africa. Exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is an important, potentially modifiable risk factor for skin cancer. The countries which comprise Southern Africa are Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland. They differ in population size and composition and experience different levels of solar UVR. Here, the epidemiology and prevalence of skin cancer in Southern African countries are outlined. Information is provided on skin cancer prevention campaigns in these countries, and evidence sought to support recommendations for skin cancer prevention, especially for people with fair skin, or oculocutaneous albinism or HIV-AIDS who are at the greatest risk. Consideration is given to the possible impacts of climate change on skin cancer in Southern Africa and the need for adaptation and human behavioural change is emphasized.

Keywords: climate change; environmental health; HIV/AIDS; keratinocyte cancer; melanoma; oculocutaneous albinism; public health; sun exposure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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