Runners and Cancer
Original Editor - User Name
Top Contributors - Kapil Narale
Introduction[edit | edit source]
It is known that Physical activity is beneficial for the body, and helps to prevents many cancers, including colon breast, and edometrium. [1]
It is said that many outdoor sports pose a risk factor for skin cancer. [1]
This page is exploring two sides to cancer and runners: what may be risk factors for healthy runners that may lead to cancer, and how cancer affects patients who are already runners.
Exposure to the Sun[edit | edit source]
It is commonly known that individuals who participate in outdoor sports do not sufficiently protect themselves from the sun, which can be a factor leading to skin cancer. [1]
It is said that UV exposure may be facilitated by a change in the sunlight's absorption spectrum to shorter wavelengths due to the hydration of the stratum corneum, thus decreasing reflection and diffusion. This results in a greater UVB transmission, and a greater sensitivity of moistened skin to ultraviolet rays. [1]
A greater risk of developing skin cancer is correlated with sweating, which increases the photosensitivity of the sun exposed skin, which induces skin photosensitivity and activity-induced immunosuppression. There is no material in sweat that is said to increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. [1]
UV radiation is a primary risk factor of malignant melanoma (MM), and non-melanoma skin cancers (NM-SCs). Melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers seems to be common in marathon runners. Melanocytic nevi and actinic lentigines are common within marathon runners, which are related to the development of malignant melanoma. The incidence of these skin cancers is gradually increasing worldwide. It is the most common in Australia and New Zealand. However, these are most preventable types of cancers. Two-thirds of melanomas and 90% of other skin cancers are correlated with the overexposure of UV rays. Melanoma is associated with intense and frequent exposure to the sun, which can lead to sunburn. A study showed that lifelong exposure to the sun with outdoor running can be a risk factor for melanoma, which also relates to the duration of exposure. [1]
Saquamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) can also occur in marathon runners. This can be associated with prolonged exposure to the sun, and a high cumulative exposure.
Individuals with a lighter skin tone can be at an increased risk as well
Protecting one's self from the sun's rays can help prevent skin damage and skin cancers. Exposure to the sun's rays causes both chronic skin damage and sunburn. Sunburn occurs with extreme exposure to the intense sun, which leads to an acute inflammatory response. The radiation from the sun causes suppression of the immune system, which can lead to the development of cancer. Runners who may be overtraining can result with tissue injury, which may lead to immunosuppression. [1]
Prevention and Protection[edit | edit source]
It is important that runners are aware of methods to protect themselves from the frequent overexposure t0 the UV radiation, and with increased sweating. This can help reduce skin damage in terms of sunburn, erythema, pigmentary disorders, photoaging, precancerous lesions, and skin cancers. There are many ways to protect from the intense sun rays, which include, wearing sun protective clothing with UV protection factors (UPFs), wearing clothing such as gloves and/or hats, and using sunscreen. [1]
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Resources[edit | edit source]
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