Golf players are twice as likely to develop skin cancer during their lifetime compared to the general population, Australian researchers reveal.
Golfers would have a 2.4 times higher risk of getting skin cancer compared to the general population, indicates a new University of South Australia study, the results of which were published on August 1, 2023. To reach this result, the researchers followed Australian golf players as well as people who did not play golf. They revealed that at the end of the follow-up, 27% of golferseither one in 4 had been diagnosed with skin cancer, compared to 7% in the general population. This excess risk is explained by the fact that golfers remain on average 4 hours on the green during a golf session and the courses are generally located in full sun. Players are therefore very easily exposed to UV rays, which are responsible for skin aging and the development of cancerous cells. Of course, “playing golf regularly has great health benefits – including helping you stay fit and active while maintaining a social connection. For example, if you walk on an average golf course, you walk at least 5 to 7 kilometers each session, often more. Add to that carrying a bag of golf clubs for two to three rounds a week, and you can see how good golf is for you. your endurance, muscle tone and your well-being“, emphasizes Dr. Brad Stenner, principal investigator of the study.
18,000 new cases of skin cancer in France in 2023
This study – the first on this subject – thus confirms that golfers have a (higher) risk of skin cancer. Therefore, if you are a golf player, make sure you protect against sun damage when you play golf. Before you go out and play, be sure to put on a protective high SPF sunscreen (ideally 50), wear a wide-brimmed hat and cover your arms for maximum protection against sunburn. And don’t forget to reapply sunscreen over time, recommend the researchers of this study. The number of skin cancers has been increasing since the 1980s. In France, there have been about 18,000 new cases of skin cancer in 2023 and 1,980 deaths, according to the 2023 edition of the Panorama of Cancers in France of the National Cancer Institute, UV radiation constitutes the leading cause of skin cancer, especially melanoma. To limit the risks, it is essential to protect yourself from the sun and avoid tanning booths.