An overview of the ultraviolet index and the skin cancer cases in Brazil

• Main Authors: Corrêa, M P, Dubuisson, P, Plana Fattori, Artemio
• Other Authors: Departamento de Ciencias Atmosfericas São Paulo, Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas São Paulo (IAG), Universidade de São Paulo (USP)-Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ecosystèmes littoraux et côtiers (ELICO), Université de Lille, Sciences et Technologies-Université du Littoral Côte d'Opale (ULCO)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2003
• Subjects: uncertainties; accuracy; radiative-transfer; media; terrestrial atmosphere; rayleigh-scattering; uv models calculations; [SDV.CAN]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Cancer; [SDU.STU.CL]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences/Climatology; Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01144089

This study relates regional and seasonal UV index (UVI) variations, number of skin cancer cases and population skin-color distribution in Brazil. UVI calculations were performed using the UV Global Atmospheric Model (UVGAME), whose characteristics and validations are provided in thiis article. Health and racial data sets are based on the health and census data collected by Brazilian governmental agencies in the past. The discussion covers cultural customs and details of health and educational campaigns in Brazil. Despite lower UV levels in the South and Southeast regions, the results show a number of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) cases regions, where the white population is predominant. In general, in the southern regions about 50 new NMSC cases per 100000 inhabitants have been diagnosed each year. These rates decrease almost 40% in the Central-North regions and more than 80% in Northeast region, where miscegenation is common. In addition, the UVI evaluation is extended to other South American sites with singular characteristics, e.g. populous cities located in high altitudes or those affected by the Antarctic ozone hole in the extreme south of the continent.