The new research aims to end the confusion about whether people should avoid using sunscreen in case it prevents vitamin D production.
Key points:
- The one-year test involves one group of participants wearing sunscreen every day and the others continuing with their normal habits.
- Australia is the world capital of skin cancer, and it is recommended to wear sunscreen when the UV index is three or more.
- The Queensland Cancer Council says the amount of sun exposure needed to produce vitamin D depends on a number of factors such as UV level, skin type and lifestyle.
This occurs when the Queensland Cancer Council warns that prolonged exposure to the sun does not cause an increase in vitamin D levels, but rather increases the risk of cancer.
The QIMR Berghofer Sun-D trial is investigating the effect of the application of SPF 50+ on vitamin D, a hormone that is essential for bone health and is primarily generated in the skin through the skin. sun exposure.
Lead researcher Rachel Neale said many people were confused about how sunscreens would affect their vitamin D levels, causing them to avoid sunscreen or spend too much time outdoors.
Professor Neale said the rehearsal still needed 500 more participants from the eastern states of Australia to register.
Professor Neale leads the Sun-D test and is looking for 500 participants to sign up. (ABC Radio Brisbane: Antonia O’Flaherty)
“We know the sun has benefits and harms, it causes skin cancer and other skin conditions, and Australia is the world capital of skin,” he said.
“So it’s very important that we protect our skin from the sun and sun protection is one of the main ways to do that.
“The current advice is that we should apply sunscreen as part of our normal morning routine every day when the UV index is expected to reach three or more, in Brisbane, that’s all year round.”
Professor Neale said that in the southern states, the UV index was expected to reach above three for a significant part of the year, except for a couple of months when it was not.
The trial aims to investigate what impact it may have on vitamin D levels.
Getting sunlight to be an act of balance
The 2011-2012 Australian Health Survey found that 23% of Australian adults had lower vitamin D levels, ranging from six per cent in Queensland to 19 per cent in New South Wales during the summer.
In winter, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is highest in Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory at 49%, compared to 16% and 13%, respectively, in summer.
Australia has the highest age-standardized melanoma rate in the world, and Queensland has the highest rate in Australia.
An Australian is diagnosed with melanoma every 30 minutes and an Australian dies of melanoma every six hours.
QIMR Berghofer researchers are looking for participants from Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales for the one-year Sun-D trial.
There is a particular need for men from Queensland to enroll, where the majority of participants who have registered have been women so far, and participants from Victoria and Tasmania, where there is the highest prevalence of vitamin D deficiency.
Test participants will be divided into two groups, one group will be given free sunscreen to apply each day, while the other group will be asked to continue their usual sun protection habits.
During the test, participants will complete monthly surveys and provide three blood samples to measure vitamin D levels.
The main source of vitamin D for most Australians is exposure to ultraviolet sunlight, with limited exposure needed to produce enough vitamin D.
The amount of sun exposure needed to produce vitamin D depends on a number of factors such as UV level, skin type and lifestyle, according to the Queensland Cancer Council.
The Queensland Cancer Council recommends that Australians be exposed to potentially harmful UV to get more vitamin D.
They say that just a few minutes of exposure to UV index levels of three or more is enough.
“Most Australians get enough vitamin D with just a few minutes of sun exposure while completing daily tasks such as walking in the car or shopping,” the Queensland Cancer Council said in a statement.
“Prolonged sun exposure does not increase vitamin D levels further, but it does increase the risk of cancer.”
For more information on the test or to register interest, call 1300 735 920.
Anyone who has doubts about their health, skin cancer or vitamin D should seek medical advice from their GP.