Image: OÖN
“In my practice, I see at least ten patients every day who have a preliminary stage of skin cancer. I remove this white skin cancer in ordination two to three times a week – and about once a month a black skin cancer,” says family doctor and dermatologist Angelika Reitböck in Steyrling. In her function as a consultant for pension and health management in the Upper Austria Medical Association, she is particularly committed to prevention.
OÖN: What is the reason for the rapid increase in skin cancer diagnoses?
Angelika Reitböck: Especially in earlier decades there was a completely uncritical cult of sun. I understand about the period of the 1970s to 90s. The people who practiced extensive sunbathing at the time are now getting on in years. Unfortunately, the skin has an elephant memory. We can imagine it like an account. Sun rays are paid in and noted. This overcrowded harmful sun account can lead to the development of skin cancer at an advanced age. But also our modern free time behavior – extensive bike tours and mountain hiking in summer, winter vacation on the Maldives – carries risks.
Sounds like our everyday life is dangerous for our skin.
You have to be aware that long lawn mowing in a plump sun is only good for our skin in bikini or swimming trunks. Furthermore, the increase in private pools leads to increased solar exposure among our children. Those who do not apply too little to long swimming and play afternoons are risked skin damage in the early years of their life. In this context, we know that sunburns, especially in childhood, increase the risk of skin cancer greatly! The increasingly frequent vacations in areas with high sun load also help to damage our skin sustainably. In general, it is always important for the skin to slowly be used to increased sunlight.
Image: OÖN
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Image: OÖN
Source: Nachrichten
