Athletes at Higher Risk for Skin Cancer

The American Academy of Dermatology Warns That Skin Cancer is Leaving Its Mark on Athletes http://www.aad.org/media/background/news/skincancer_2007_06_21_warns.html

"Thousands of athletes, both professional and amateur, are at high risk for developing skin cancer," warns dermatologist Brian B. Adams, MD, MPH, FAAD, and chairperson of the AAD´s Sports Committee. "Outdoor athletes face double jeopardy because perspiring exacerbates their risk."

Perspiration on the skin lowers the minimal erythema dose, the lowest ultraviolet (UV) light exposure needed to turn the skin barely pink. "You've already set yourself up for trouble if you are not using sunscreen when outdoors participating in sports," commented Dr. Adams. "When you perspire, you are even more susceptible to a burn, and with continued exposure, to wrinkles, age spots and maybe even skin cancer."

Another source...

Sun Safety for Athletes and Sports Spectators
http://www.asds.net/SunsafetyforAthletesandSportsSpectators.aspx