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An Overview of the Ultraviolet Index and the Skin Cancer Cases in Brazil ¶
Author(s) -
Corrêa M. P.,
Dubuisson P.,
PlanaFattori A.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
photochemistry and photobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.818
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1751-1097
pISSN - 0031-8655
DOI - 10.1562/0031-8655(2003)0780049aootui2.0.co2
Subject(s) - skin cancer , census , geography , population , index (typography) , demography , socioeconomics , physical geography , environmental health , cancer , medicine , sociology , world wide web , computer science
This study relates regional and seasonal UV index (UVI) variations, number of skin cancer cases and population skin‐color distribution in Brazil. UVI calculations were performed using the UV Global Atmospheric Model (UVGAME), whose characteristics and validations are provided in this article. Health and racial data sets are based on the health and census data collected by Brazilian governmental agencies in the past. The discussion covers cultural customs and details of health and educational campaigns in Brazil. Despite lower UV levels in the South and Southeast regions, the results show a larger number of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) cases in these regions, where the white population is predominant. In general, in the southern regions about 50 new NMSC cases per 1 inhabitants have been diagnosed each year. These rates decrease almost 40% in the Central–North regions and more than 80% in Northeast region, where miscegenation is common. In addition, the UVI evaluation is extended to other South American sites with singular characteristics, e.g. populous cities located in high altitudes or those affected by the Antarctic ozone hole in the extreme south of the continent.