Have you been sunburned again and again? The risk of skin cancer could jump by 69%
A review of 17 studies involving more than 321,000 people found that severe sunburns can significantly increase the risk of skin cancer. The risk was particularly high in those who suffered from severe burns in childhood.
A large-scale scientific review has found that painful and severe sunburns, especially those accompanied by blisters and significant skin peeling, can leave long-term damage to skin cells and be associated with a marked increase in the risk of developing one of the common types of skin cancer.
The study, published in the medical journal JAMA Dermatology, examined data from 17 different studies that together included more than 321,000 people. The researchers found that people who were exposed to a moderate amount of painful or severe sunburns during their lives were at a 51% higher risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the skin compared to people who did not suffer from such burns. Among those exposed to a high number of severe sunburns, the increase in risk reached 69%.
Experts from the University of Rochester Medical Center explain that severe sunburns are not just a temporary event that ends with the disappearance of redness and pain. According to them, ultraviolet radiation can cause damage to the DNA in skin cells, and its consequences may remain long after the skin itself appears to have healed.
Dr. Adrian Victor, an oncologist at the Wilmot Cancer Institute at the University of Rochester, explained that the body activates mechanisms designed to repair the damage caused to DNA, but the repair process is not always perfect. According to her, errors that may occur during repair can create genetic mutations, and these can accumulate over the years and contribute to the development of skin cancer.
One of the most concerning findings concerns sunburns in childhood. According to the review's results, there is a significant link between repeated exposure to severe sunburns at a young age and an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma. In some cases, it was found that the risk increased up to three times. It also emerged that even a relatively small number of severe sunburns may be associated with an increased risk later in life.
Although the researchers defined the overall level of certainty of the evidence as low, they emphasized that the findings reinforce the importance of preventing sunburns, especially among children and adolescents. Dr. Genya Alfagali, a dermatology specialist, noted that children may be particularly vulnerable due to a combination of several factors, including the characteristics of melanin-producing cells, greater exposure to the sun, and inconsistency in the use of protective measures.
However, the researchers emphasize that it is difficult to completely separate the effect of isolated sunburns from the cumulative effect of exposure to ultraviolet radiation over time. The link between UV radiation and skin cancer is already well-established scientifically, but people who suffer from repeated sunburns may also be, in general, more exposed to the sun and harmful radiation.
The findings also do not mean that one sunburn will necessarily lead to the development of cancer. The risk is influenced by a series of other factors, including genetic predisposition, lifestyle, and the extent of cumulative exposure to ultraviolet radiation over the years. Nevertheless, researchers and experts recommend avoiding sunburns as much as possible, particularly severe burns that cause significant pain, the appearance of blisters, or extensive skin peeling.
