Sunlight, Vitamin D and Skin Cancer

The goal of this volume is to comprehensively cover a highly readable overview on our present knowledge of positive and negative effects of UV-exposure, with a focus on vitamin D and skin cancer. Topics that are discussed in-depth by leading researchers and clinicians range from the newest findings in endocrinology, epidemiology, histology, photobiology, immunology, cytogenetics and molecular pathology to new concepts for prophylaxis and treatment. Experts in the field as well as health care professionals not intimately involved in these specialized areas are provided with the most significant and timely information related to these topics. It is the aim of this book to summarize essential up-to-date information for every clinician or scientist interested in how to balance between positive and negative effects of UV-exposure to minimize the risks of developing vitamin D deficiency and skin cancer.§UV-exposure represents the most important risk factor for the development of non-melanoma skin cancer. Additionally, assessment of sun exposure parameters has consistently shown an association between the development of malignant melanoma and short-term intense UV-exposure, particularly burning in childhood. As a consequence, protection of the skin from UV-exposure is an integral part of skin cancer prevention programs. However, more chronic less intense UV-exposure has not been found to be a risk factor for melanoma and in fact has been found in some studies to be protective. Moreover, 90% of all requisite vitamin D is formed within the skin through the action of the sun a serious problem for a connection between vitamin D deficiency and various types of cancer (e.g., colon-, prostate- and breast cancer) has been demonstrated in a large number of studies. Hence, the association between vitamin D deficiency and various internal malignancies has now opened a debate among dermatologists and other clinicians how to balance between positive and negative effects of solar and artificial UV-exposure.