Jakartans warned to avoid the sun

Jakartans warned to avoid the sun

JAKARTA (JP): Cancer specialists have warned Jakartans that
overexposure to the sun can lead to skin cancer.

"Actually, people who live close to the equator have a greater
risk of contracting skin cancer," noted Mochtar Hamzah, an
oncologist (cancer specialist) of Dharmais National Cancer Center
yesterday.

He also said that Caucasians should try to minimize their
exposure to the sun between 10 a.m and 3 p.m because they have a
higher risk of suffering from such cancer than Asians.

Mochtar said that factors which cause skin cancer include
untreated wounds, X-rays and contact with chemicals, but the main
factor is overexposure to the sun.

However, Achmad Tjarta, a noted pathologist from the medical
school of the University of Indonesia, reminded that the thinning
ozone layer is another factor which could increase the risk of
getting cancer.

Responding to a question about the most effective way to avoid
skin cancer, Aida Suriadiredja, Mochtar's colleague from the
center, said that avoiding the sun from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. is the
best way, and that sun block does not guarantee protection for
the skin.

Mochtar said that minimizing contact with chemical materials
such as arsenic and X-rays also help minimize the likelihood of
skin cancer.

He said skin cancer is the third most common type of cancer,
after uterine and ovary cancer. Aida added that skin cancer is
the most common form of the disease among Indonesian males,
followed by nasopharyngeal cancer and lymph gland cancer.

"Presumably Indonesian men get more sun than its woman," she
said. (03)