Sun exposure leads to eye cancer – winter sun just as damaging

SOUTH EASTERN SYDNEY / ILLAWARRA Area Health Service
				SYDNEY HOSPITAL & SYDNEY EYE HOSPITAL


			9 August 2005	Print media release
			Sun exposure leads to eye cancer – winter sun just as damaging

			Sydney Eye Hospital and the Cancer Council NSW are encouraging Australians to protect their eyes in the winter months in the wake of newly released Cancer Council NSW research showing that exposure to solar radiation is a cause of eye cancer. Damage to the eyes as a result of sun exposure includes; eye melanomas (eye cancer), cancer of the conjunctiva (the membrane covering the white part of the eye), skin cancer of the lids and pterygium (an overgrowth of the conjunctiva on the cornea). Dr Michael Giblin, ophthalmic surgeon at Sydney Eye Hospital deals with serious eye conditions due to sun exposure everyday and is appealing to those with risk factors to take care in the sun. “There are a number of risk factors associated with eye cancers such as people with a history of melanoma in the family (any melanoma anywhere on the body), light eye colour, light skin colour, sun sensitivity, cumulative lifetime ocular exposure to the sun, previous eye burn, length of time spent outdoors as a child and teenager and people with a mole on their eye,” said Dr Giblin. “About 300 Australians are diagnosed with eye cancer and conjunctival cancers each year. Over 40 Sydneysiders will be diagnosed with eye cancers this year alone.” Dr Giblin said. “People with a mole on their eye and those with a history of eye melanomas should have yearly eye check ups with an ophthalmologist and people over 40 should have an eye check up every two years,” said Dr Giblin. Dr Andrew Penman, Chief Executive Officer of The Cancer Council NSW encourages people of all ages to cover up all year round, especially the under 20s. “We have evidence that tells us sun exposure in the first 20 years of life increases your chances of eye cancer. Winter days can be just as dangerous as summer days in the sun.” “We encourage people who are in the sun to wear approved UV-absorbing close fitting sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat. By doing this you are blocking out 95 per cent of UV rays,” said Dr Penman. Prevention is better than cure in the eyes of specialists. “Early detection and treatment provides better outcomes for patients with eye melanomas but prevention is even better. If we can get more people protecting their eyes all year round and not just in the summer we’ll be saving people’s sight,” said Dr Giblin. “People need to get to know their eyes and identify when things are changing with their vision such as blurred or distorted vision or flashing lights appearing in their line of vision. If any of these changes occur, acting quickly by seeing your GP for a referral to an ophthalmologist is imperative,” said Dr Giblin. Former Director of the National Gallery of Australia and world-renowned historian, art critic and writer, Betty Churcher was diagnosed with eye melanoma in October 2003. Mrs Churcher noticed a persistent spot of flicking light in her right eye throughout the day and bright flashes of parallel light in her line of vision when in the dark. “It was like a cat scratching though black velvet. I ignored the changes in my vision for at least a couple of weeks and thought it was result of me doing a lot of photocopying with the lid up,” said Mrs Churcher. It wasn’t until Mrs Churcher was driving that she realised the problem with her eye sight was more serious. “I was driving and I thought my glasses had clouded over. I pulled over to clear them and then noticed it wasn’t the glasses that were cloudy it was my eye.” “If you notice a difference in your vision don’t just assume it will go away in time, go and see an ophthalmologist immediately,” said Mrs Churcher. For more information visit www.cancercouncil.com.au or call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20. Eye Cancer Fact Sheet Solar Radiation is a cause of ocular melanoma. Sun exposure in the first 20 years of life increases your chances of eye cancer. Over 290 000 Australians have been exposed to UV radiation in the past year due to solarium use. A solarium can emit UV radiation that is five times as strong as the midday summer sun. The highest users of solariums are females aged 25 – 44 years. Damage to the eyes from sun exposure includes: Eye melanomas (eye cancer) Cancer of the conjunctiva (the membrane covering the white part of the eye) Skin cancer of the lids Pterygium (an overgrowth of the conjunctiva on the cornea). Eye Cancer risk factors include: People with a history of melanoma in the family (anywhere on the body) Light eye colour Light skin colour Sun sensitivity Cumulative lifetime ocular exposure to the sun Previous eye burns Length of time spent outdoors as a child and teenager Mole on the eye Incidence Over 539 Australians were newly diagnosed with ocular melanoma from 1996 - 1998. The incidence of ocular melanoma in Australia was higher in men than in women, especially in people aged 65 years and older and higher in rural than in urban areas, but was relatively uniform across the Australian states, particularly in men, and showed little evidence of a trend with latitude. People diagnosed with ocular melanoma are more likely to have spent time outdoors doing activities such as gardening, sunbathing and to have used sun lamps. The age incidence curves of ocular melanoma generally reach a peak in the 80s in both sexes, while rates in men diverge upwards from those in women after about 55 years of age. The increasing incidence throughout life would suggest continuing exposure to be a relevant factor, especially in men. Although epidemiologic observations suggest that sun exposure has its greatest effect early in life, they do not exclude the possibility of an effect later in life. People born in Southern Europe had only one-half and people born in Asia only one-fifth the rate of ocular melanoma of people born in Australia and New Zealand. Prevention Cover yours eyes with approved UV-absorbing close fitting sunglasses when in the sun and wear a wide brimmed hat. Both of these measures in co-operation will block out 95 per cent of UV rays. Warning Signs Blurred or distorted vision Flashing lights appearing in your line of vision What do I do if I think I have warning signs? If you experience any changes to your eyes, act quickly by seeing your GP for a referral to an ophthalmologist for a full eye check. Who should have an eye check up by an ophthalmologist? People who experience distorted or cloudy vision or notice flickering of light in their line of vision should have an eye check up by an ophthalmologist immediately. Yearly check ups with an ophthalmologist People with a mole on their eye or a history of eye melanomas. Check up every two years People over 40 years
			Media contacts Joanne Sutton Public Relations and Fundraising Manager Sydney Eye Hospital Ph: 9382 7400 / 0400 663 212 Sally Moore Cancer Council NSW Ph: 9334 1878 / 0413 886 578