SKIN CANCER

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1929, Page 7

SKIN CANCER

The serenity of many a woman’s life in Australia lias been rudely disturbed. She is wondering whether, because she lias once again become a u -slave to lasiiion she, is liable to be attacked by tne most dreaded of all diseases, cancer. These close iitting felt hats, this cropped hair. Are they dangerous? A theory that the low relative humidity of the atmosphere and much sunshine are causes 'of the great prevalence of skin cancer in Australia is discussed by Dr Herman Lawrence, dermatologist, of Melbourne, l in an article in the current bulletin of the Victorian Health Department, N Dr. Lawrence states that a great numbler of persons have the power of acquiring pigmentation of the skin as a protection against the penetrating effects of the solar rays, and it was said that Australians were rapidly beaming a dard-skinned people. That statement was not scientifically correct. L'he advisability of allowing persons with non-pigmenting skins to enter wistralia and work in the inland areas, however, was open to question. The article continues:—“The present-day exigencies of society for ladies—partial nudity and the shingle—are already reaping a toll in the form of solar ray blemishes, and actual precancerous conditions have developed in some ■uses. A fashion of dress obtaining in Europe and suitable for the climate there, is by no means advisable to adopt for Australia. As regards the shingle and the closely fitting cloth hats, conditions annulling the functions of the hair will show in future that baldness is not for men only. Pityraisis capitis, a precursor of baldness, is becoming much more prevalent in the female scalp. The common use of hairbrushes at clubs and business places favours the spread of baldness. Persons who sunburn badly, and especially those who are developing the skin irritation known as Koratoses Solaris should take a lesson from Xray workers and prevent as well as they °an any unnecessary exposure of the affected skin to the sun’s rays.”