According to a new Israeli study, many non-Ashkenazi Jews
carry a mutation exposing its bearers to a hereditary risk of
contracting melanoma, one of the most fatal types of skin
cancer. The mutation is found in up to 50 percent of the
families with histories of melanoma.
Most skin, as well as other, cancers have up until now been
found to occur relatively frequently among Jews of Ashkenazic
descent. For that reason the head of the study, Dr. Chava
Peretz of Ichilov Hospital, and other experts in the field
were surprised to learn that the rate of the mutations in the
p-16 gene in Jewish families of North African and Asiatic
origin is 25 percent, as opposed to 0 percent in families of
Ashkenazi descent.
Reports on the discovery of the new mutation -- which have
yet to be released to the world at large -- were presented at
the launching of a week-long informational campaign about the
prevention of skin cancer. The campaign is being conducted by
the Israel Association for the War Against Cancer. Every year
600 new patients in Israel are diagnosed with melanoma. It is
reported that since 1992, 12-13 out of every 100,000 people
contract melanoma.
Dr. Micha Barkan, director of the Cancer Incidence Recording
Unit in the Health Ministry, relates that there has been an
increase in early detection of the illness, a factor which is
of crucial importance in improving the chances of recovery.
Growths are being discovered at earlier, smaller stages.
However, there is a concomitant disconcerting rise in the
size of growths diagnosed among young girls and women, a fact
which should alert us to the need to increase awareness of
the problem in this group.
In recent years, the media has publicized possible hazards
associated with the use of sunscreens. In light of these
reports, many have wondered whether it is advisable to
continue their use.
Professor Refael Shafir is chairman of the Committee for
Early Detection of the Israel Association for the War Against
Cancer and director of the Plastic Surgery Department in
Ichilov Hospital. He reports that at a recent international
conference on this subject in Rotterdam, studies were
presented which proved that those who use sunscreens
experienced more exposure to the sun than those not using
them, thereby running an increased risk of developing beauty
marks and cancer.
Professor Shafir said there are a number of reasons for this.
Sunscreen-users often expose themselves to the sun for
exaggerated periods, convinced that they are protected even
during the most dangerous hours. Second, they often do not
use the preparations according to instructions: they use
insufficient quantities and/or do not reapply as directed.
"The use of sunscreens is vitally recommended as the last
line of protection," he said, "on condition that they are
administered properly in conjunction with additional
protective measures, and as long as one reduces the time
spent in the sun as much as possible, avoiding exposure
during the hotter hours of the day. One must also cover one's
body completely and wear a hat and sunglasses."
