Solar keratoses: the association with erythemal ultraviolet radiation in Australia

• Published in: Cancer Vol. 56; no. 9; pp. 2332 - 2336
• Main Authors: MARKS, R, SELWOOD, T. S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Wiley-Liss 01.11.1985
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Australia; Biological and medical sciences; Dermatology; Female; Humans; Keratosis - epidemiology; Keratosis - etiology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced - etiology; Radiation Dosage; Skin Neoplasms - etiology; Sunlight - adverse effects; Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions; Ultraviolet Rays - adverse effects; Australia; Skin disease; Ultraviolet radiation; Physical agent; Solar keratosis; Australia; Epidemiology; Oceania
• ISSN: 0008-543X

The prevalence rate of solar keratoses among 2000 residents of Melbourne, Australia, was compared to the rate among 2113 residents of Maryborough, a north central Victorian city. There was a significantly higher prevalence rate among the Australian-born population of Maryborough compared with Melbourne residents of the same age, sex, country of birth, and level of outdoor activity. Calculation of the erythemal ultraviolet radiation level revealed a 14.2% increase in the dose in Maryborough compared with that in Melbourne. These figures demonstrate a significant increase in the rate of solar keratoses, and thus the potential for the development of skin cancer, in all of the age groups studied. The difference was associated with a relatively small increase in ultraviolet radiation between two areas that are separated by a latitude distance of only 110 km.