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We know that genetics and environment both play a significant role. So think about it this way: If you're genetically predisposed to having very dark skin, yo

We know that genetics and environment both play a significant role. So think about it this way: If you're genetically predisposed to having very dark skin, you will be able to tolerate more UV exposure without significantly increasing your risk of cancer. And by continuing to be exposed to high UV levels, your body will continue to produce melanin to keep you protected. It's a feedback loop. If you're genetically predisposed to having pale skin, but then expose your skin to higher levels of UV than your low melanin levels can guard against, you will sustain significant sunburn, and if you do this repeatedly you'll significantly increase your risk of skin cancer. But if you gradually expose yourself to moderate levels of UV you can gradually increase your melanin levels more safely, but only as far as your genetics allow. (This is theoretical of course; we know very well that it's very hard for fair-skinned people to expose themselves to UV light from the sun or tanning beds without overdoing it, hence the widespread occurance of skin cancer.) My educated guess about the notion that dark skinned people are experiencing higher levels of cancer would be that if a dark-skinned person keeps avoiding UV for long enough, their melanin levels start to decline (due to it not being an optimal use of resources), but then if/when sun exposure happens, the protection isn't as strong and the risk of cancer is higher.

angry_octet 9y ago
The notion of 'building up a tan' is dangerously wrong advice. Even for people with darker skin it is unwise to have significant bursts of UV exposure. I'm curious as to whether your educated guess derives from a clinical background, or reddit? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2671032/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2671032/ http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/skin-cancer-and-skin-of-color http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/skin-cancer-and-skin-of... https://theconversation.com/amp/sun-damage-and-cancer-how-uv-radiation-affects-our-skin-34538 https://theconversation.com/amp/sun-damage-and-cancer-how-uv... http://enhs.umn.edu/current/5103/uv/molelcularmech.html http://enhs.umn.edu/current/5103/uv/molelcularmech.html
- tomhoward 9y ago
  The notion of 'building up a tan' is dangerously wrong advice. I know, I acknowledged that in my comment. My main point was only about the extent to which people with genetically high melanin levels are at much lower risk of cancer (which your first link confirms), but how their risk might increase if their melanin levels drop. I don't dispute that it's a complex and dangerous topic. And as someone with genetically very pale skin, I most certainly steer well clear of direct sunlight and make no efforts to develop a tan. I'm curious as to whether your educated guess derives from a clinical background, or reddit? That's a low blow :) I rarely go anywhere near Reddit, certainly not for anything to do with health. I have spent 10+ years researching health topics for reasons to with serious, chronic, illnesses I've endured, and have now largely overcome thanks to what I've learned.
  - angry_octet 9y ago
    It was a low blow. Sorry. I've been watching my uncle and father die slowly from melanomas, chunk by chunk cut out of their faces, their backs. My uncle still has a healthy deep tan. And even last year I heard girls talk about building up a 'base tan' before summer. Roasting like rotisserie chickens under the solarium lamps.

angry_octet 9y ago

The notion of 'building up a tan' is dangerously wrong advice. Even for people with darker skin it is unwise to have significant bursts of UV exposure. I'm curious as to whether your educated guess derives from a clinical background, or reddit? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2671032/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2671032/ http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/skin-cancer-and-skin-of-color http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/skin-cancer-and-skin-of... https://theconversation.com/amp/sun-damage-and-cancer-how-uv-radiation-affects-our-skin-34538 https://theconversation.com/amp/sun-damage-and-cancer-how-uv... http://enhs.umn.edu/current/5103/uv/molelcularmech.html http://enhs.umn.edu/current/5103/uv/molelcularmech.html

tomhoward 9y ago
The notion of 'building up a tan' is dangerously wrong advice. I know, I acknowledged that in my comment. My main point was only about the extent to which people with genetically high melanin levels are at much lower risk of cancer (which your first link confirms), but how their risk might increase if their melanin levels drop. I don't dispute that it's a complex and dangerous topic. And as someone with genetically very pale skin, I most certainly steer well clear of direct sunlight and make no efforts to develop a tan. I'm curious as to whether your educated guess derives from a clinical background, or reddit? That's a low blow :) I rarely go anywhere near Reddit, certainly not for anything to do with health. I have spent 10+ years researching health topics for reasons to with serious, chronic, illnesses I've endured, and have now largely overcome thanks to what I've learned.
- angry_octet 9y ago
  It was a low blow. Sorry. I've been watching my uncle and father die slowly from melanomas, chunk by chunk cut out of their faces, their backs. My uncle still has a healthy deep tan. And even last year I heard girls talk about building up a 'base tan' before summer. Roasting like rotisserie chickens under the solarium lamps.