OVER EEN CARCINOGENE WERKING VAN DE TROPENZON

• Published in: Vox Guyanae (Online) Vol. 1; no. 3; pp. 123 - 129
• Main Author: ABEGG, D. B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Dutch
• Published: Rashakishun & Co 01-09-1954
• ISSN: 0506-1164; 2352-023X

Even with limited statistical evidence it appears that primary skin cancer shows a „very high" incidence among the non-colored section of the population (during the last 15 months 21 cases were treated out of a total non-colored population of approx. 9500); no primary skin cancers were found in persons with a pigmented skin. The cases treated were all diagnosed as „Ulcus Rodens"; other forms of secondary skin cancers and malignant melanomas, sarcomas and other intra-epidermal tumors are not considered here because they are almost certainly not caused by ultraviolet radiation. The Ulcus Rodens cases were found on tightlydrawn skin, on parts of the body that are most exposed to sunlight. Several investigators have shown the possible carcinogenous effects of ultra-violet radiation, especially for light skins. Although no information is available on the amount of ultraviolet radiation in sunlight in Paramaribo, other investigations have shown that the percentage is higher in Indonesia than in Europe — and climatologically the two geographic locations seem highly comparable. Information is available on the average number of sun-hours per year: Indonesia 2326, Paramaribo 2332, Netherlands 1492. Without knowing the tolerance for ultra-violet radiation of light skin versus darker pigmentation, yet it appears that the effects of tropical sunlight are more harmful to a lighter skin. One obvious conclusion would be that it seems advisable for light skin versus darker pigmentation, yet it appears that the for instance by the intelligent use of clothing. The author concludes with a table showing the relative transparency of different kinds of material for ultra-violet radiation.