Distance Running Is Tied to Skin Cancer Risk - Dougie Freese, what's up with that?
- From: "TC" <tunderbar@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: 21 Nov 2006 09:56:36 -0800
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/21/health/21baka.html?ref=sports
In Study, Distance Running Is Tied to Skin Cancer Risk
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By NICHOLAS BAKALAR
Published: November 21, 2006
Marathon runners may have an increased risk for skin cancer, a small
study published Monday suggests, and excessive sun exposure and
exercise-induced suppression of the body's immune system may be
involved.
Malignant Melanoma in Marathon Runners (Archives of Dermatology)The
lead author of the report, Dr. Christina M. Ambros-Rudolph, said the
pilot study had reached no conclusion about the exact increase in risk
that marathoners face.
But, Dr. Ambros-Rudolph said, "Our results show that there is a
difference, in particular in sun exposure and measurable consequences
such as increased solar lentigines."
Solar lentigines are "age spots" caused by long-term sun exposure.
The researchers, from the dermatology department of the Medical
University of Graz in Austria, studied 210 marathon runners and a
control group of 210 nonmarathoners matched for age and sex. All the
subjects, runners and nonrunners, were white, a risk factor for
malignant melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer.
Each participant had a total body skin examination, and the scientists
recorded information for all participants on eye color, skin shade,
history of severe sunburn and family history of skin cancer, all known
risk factors for skin malignancies.
Even though, by chance, the nonrunners had more benign moles and
freckles and significantly higher sun sensitivity as determined by eye
color and skin shade, the runners had more solar lentigines and more
lesions suggestive of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, two less
aggressive skin cancers. The study appears in the November issue of The
Archives of Dermatology.
Sun exposure may not be the only risk factor that distance runners
face. The authors write that although there is no question that regular
exercise is important to good health, there is good evidence that
high-intensity training and excessive exercise can lead to suppressed
immune function.
"This is quite well established," Dr. Ambros-Rudolph said. "Many
alterations in immune cell function have been noted at the cellular
level in marathon runners.
"For example, there is the association between excessive exercise and
immunosuppression reflected in the increased incidence and severity of
upper respiratory tract infections in marathon runners after races."
The exact mechanism is unknown, but there is evidence that trauma
sustained during extreme exercise can induce the release of cytokines,
proteins that can stimulate the growth and activity of various immune
cells and that may limit the ability of the immune system to fight
potential cancers.
Clinical examination by dermatologists showed that none of the
participants had lesions that suggested malignant melanoma. But 24 of
the marathon group and 14 of the control group were referred for
surgical treatment of lesions that appeared to be basal or squamous
cell carcinomas or the precancerous lesions called actinic keratoses.
Follow-up reports on these patients were not available because of the
limits in Austrian laws on personal privacy.
About a third of the marathoners ran up to 25 miles a week, and nearly
half ran 25 to 45 miles. Almost 15 percent ran more than 45 miles a
week. Those who trained the most intensively had the highest rates of
skin lesions.
Almost all the runners dressed in clothing that exposed the legs, arms,
shoulders and upper back, and only about half used sunscreen regularly.
Physical exercise on sunny days can be more harmful to the skin than
other kinds of sun exposure, the authors suggest, because sweating may
significantly increase the sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet
radiation, making sunburn more likely. Moisture on the skin reduces the
UV light to shorter wavelengths that are more easily absorbed and
decreases their reflection and dispersion.
Dr. Ambros-Rudolph emphasized that the main problem, for both casual
runners and extreme exercisers, is sun exposure.
"We hear a lot about sun exposure and skin cancer," she said.
"But we forget about it when participating in outdoor sports.
Sunscreen alone is not the ultimate answer. It's also important to
wear reasonable gear that covers the shoulders and upper back, and to
avoid training in peak sun hours."
**********
Is it the sun or are long distance runners generally not as well
nourished as they would think? Is running apt to deplete your vitamin
stores?
TC
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