Skin Cancer Risks Increase In Young Asian Australians

Constant exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun and tanning beds have increased cases of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers for the past 30 years. Young Asian Australians are increasing risks of developing skin cancers too when they engage in tanning activities to darken their complexion, according to a new research. Dr Ashley Day, a visiting research fellow at the University of Adelaide, explains how Australian culture greatly influenced young Asians’ tanning behaviour and activities.

A lot of Asians, especially those with dark skin have preference for fairer skin. However, some young Australians of Asian descent think otherwise; they undergo tanning or frequent sun-bathing to have darker skin. Day did a survey on 140 Asian Australians who are in their late teens to mid-20s. More than 50 percent of the ladies and nearly 30 percent of the men had tanned themselves more than once in the past. Some have even suffered tanning burns during the past year.

Day said that these people tend to adopt behaviours that make them susceptible to skin cancer. The participants also lacked awareness of their inherent skin tone and understanding of skin cancer risks. Results of this research were published in the European Journal of Cancer Care.

She also compared her findings with US studies conducted on Asians and Hispanics who embrace some influence of Western culture. They also seem to adopt the tanning behaviour of the West. Day adds, "This appears to be the case among young Asian people in Australia, with the potential for peer groups, media representations of beauty and celebrity, and overall sun culture influencing their attitudes and behaviour."

Other related US studies about tanning behaviour among young frequent tanners was attributed to attitudes, not unawareness of the risks. Quantitative analysis in Denmark from 2008 to 2011 have also observed high-risk tanning behaviour in younger women and men. A Danish sun safety campaign was successfully launched to raise awareness and to reduce further incidence of skin cancers.

Day emphasised that skin cancer awareness among the youth to detect early signs and to prevent poor outcomes for sufferers of the disease.

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