• 8/2/2007
  • web-based article
  • Carol M. Bareuther
  • www.the-triton.com

You’ve heard the warning: If you want to prevent skin cancer, lather up with a lotion that has a high sun protection factor.

But what you eat can play an equal role in the development or prevention of this potentially deadly disease that can be a real occupational hazard to those who work full-time aboard yachts.

Why worry about skin cancer? According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 1.5 million skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the United States alone. That’s more new cases of skin cancer each year than breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers combined.

What’s more, one in five Americans (including one in three Caucasians) will develop some type of skin cancer in the course of a lifetime, and one person dies every hour from skin cancer.

Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which usually show up on sun-exposed areas of the body, are easy to cure.

However, if left untreated, these cancers can spread to other areas of the body. Melanoma, on the other hand, is more aggressive and has the potential to turn deadly.

So what can you do diet-wise?

First, eat your veggies. In a study reported in the International Journal of Cancer last year, Australian researchers randomly selected 1,056 people living in the sunny subtropics and followed them for 10 years. The result? Those who had the highest intake of green leafy vegetables (dark romaine lettuce, spinach, broccoli, kale, beet greens, Swiss chard, etc.) cut their risk of reoccurring basal cell skin cancer by 55 percent.

However, those individuals with a high intake of full-fat dairy products, such as whole milk, full-fat yogurt, and cheese, had 2.5 times the increased risk of reoccurring basal cell skin cancer.

Second, trim your diet of excess fat. Homer S. Black, a professor of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, has conducted research that shows people who eat a high-fat diet have a five times greater risk of developing pre-malignant skin lesions that can progress to skin cancer than those who eat a low-fat diet.

According to Black, the high levels of dietary fat appear to suppress the immune system, including its ability to fight tumors. Also, the type of fat can be a cause for concern.

Polyunsaturated fats, such as those found in vegetable oils, can lead to greater free radical formation and the possibility of cancer initiation. Monounsaturated fats, such as those predominantly in olive oil, are more healthful for cancer prevention.

On the opposite tack, a nutritious diet rich in vegetables, fruits and grains, contains nutrients and compounds that may help prevent skin cancer and other forms of cancer.

Third, sip tea. A study published recently in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that tea drinkers had a lower risk of developing squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma than did those who didn’t drink tea. The study surveyed nearly 2,200 adults.

The greatest protective effect occurred in those who drank at least two cups of tea a day. Researchers theorized that the antioxidants in tea – especially a tongue twister named epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG for short – may limit the damage ultraviolet radiation inflicts on the skin.

Fourth and finally, go easy at happy hour. Excess alcohol has been linked with greater risk of melanoma skin cancers by some researchers. In one study, those who drank the most alcohol had 65 percent greater risk of melanoma than those who drank the least.

Of course, the best strategy for preventing skin cancer is to minimize time spent in the sun, especially during the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest. Beyond this, wear sunscreen that has an SPF of 15 or higher and wear protective clothing including a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.