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Sun Exposure Does Not Increase Risk of Developing Lymphoma
Researchers from Sweden and Denmark have reported that ultraviolet (UV) exposure does not increase the incidence of malignant lymphomas, but instead is associated with a lower incidence of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). The details of this report appeared in the February 2, 2005 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute .
The incidence of malignant lymphoma has been increasing over the past several decades in the US population. The reasons for this increase are unknown. In fact, the causes of most lymphomas are unknown, except for the relatively few that are associated with specific bacteria (Helicobacter pylori in gastric lymphoma), or viruses such as the Epstein-Barr virus (Burkitt’s lymphoma), HIV-related lymphomas, body cavity lymphomas (human herpes virus-8) or T-cell lymphoma (HTLV-1). However, none of these specific causes explains the increased incidence of lymphomas observed in recent years.
There is speculation that exposure to chemicals, such as certain solvents, pesticides, herbicides, and water contaminated with nitrate, are responsible for the increased incidence of lymphomas. Another speculation is that the increased incidence of lymphomas is due to an increase in sun exposure.
Researchers carrying out the current study looked at sun exposure in 3,740 patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia and 3,187 individuals without lymphoma. They found that different types of sun exposure were associated with a decreased incidence of NHL. The types of sun exposure associated with a 30-40% decrease in the incidence of NHL included high frequency of sun bathing, sun vacations and sunburns.
They also reported a greater effect for increasing sun exposure. The decreased incidences of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and Hodgkin’s lymphoma were not statistically significant, but there was no indication that sun exposure increased the incidence of these two diseases. Paradoxically, they found an increased incidence of Hodgkin’s and NHL in patients who were diagnosed with basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer or melanoma.
This study shows clearly that increasing sun exposure is not the cause of the increased incidence of malignant lymphomas in the general population. The authors also speculate that the correlation between skin cancers and increased number of lymphomas is not mediated by the sun exposure.
Reference: Ekstrom K, Hjalgrim H, Melbye M, et al. Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure and Risk of Malignant Lymphomas. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 2005:97:199-209.
Medical bills may force tough decision
JOE SNAPPER
THE SAGINAW NEWS
December 14, 2005 - For Christmas this year, Amber J. Newsome is wondering whether divorcing the man she loves is the best way to cover her mounting medical bills.
The 50-year-old Spaulding Township woman's cancer treatment has topped $150,000. Fired from her job after becoming sick with a mysterious illness, most of the former truck driver's family lost its medical coverage in April.
She fears the insurance of her husband, James W. Newsome, 51, who also drives a truck, will not cover her illness when he becomes the primary carrier in June.
"Divorce is the only option," says the non-Hodgkins lymphoma patient, diagnosed in August. "The state would have to help me."
The option is extreme, but so is her predicament, Newsome says. Of her four children, two teens -- 15 and 16 -- are still at home.
"It would be horrid," she says from her hospital bed. "We've known each since we were kids."
Her nurse in Covenant Medical Center-Harrison's seventh-floor oncology unit, Betty Lee, said Newsome nearly died in the intensive care unit last month during a cardiac arrest.
"They didn't have hopes for her down there," Lee says. "She's a strong person. She made it through."
But after two weeks "asleep," as Newsome puts it, she must learn to walk again. Therapy options are few when you don't have medical insurance, she says.
A fundraising all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner, bake sale, live auction and live entertainment Sunday aim to raise cash for a therapist and possibly pay for her doctor visits, Newsome says.
The event costs $5 and runs from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Birch Run Expo Center. For more information, call Monica Wilson at (989) 751-0701.
Proceeds will benefit her charity fund, the Amber Newsome Medical Fund, at United Financial Credit Union, with four Saginaw County branches.
Doctors have given her about an even chance to live, she says. If she makes it to Christmas Eve, she hopes to walk into church with her family, a holiday tradition.
"I just hope they can get it into remission," she says. v
Joe Snapper is a staff writer for The Saginaw News. You may reach him at 776-9715.
ONE-LEGGED DOC WALKS 108 MILES
Medic on crutches finishes trek
By Claire Mcgarrity
17 August 2007 - A ONE-LEGGED doctor yesterday challenged able-bodied Scots to match his charity walks.
Dr Bob Grant, 61, has just completed a 108-mile trek which he hopes will raise £7000 for cancer charity Maggie's - on crutches.
At the end of the walk from Dundee to Edinburgh on the Fife coastal path, the Kirkcaldy GP urged other people to follow his lead.
He called on more to enter sponsored walks being held in Glasgow and Edinburgh next month.
The dad-of-three, who was greeted by members of basketball cheerleading team The Rockettes, added: "If I can do it with my disability, people with two legs can."
Bob was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma when he was just 14. He beat the disease but radiotherapy weakened his bones and a fall in 2001 led to his leg being amputated.
Bob said: "Like many people affected by cancer, I refused to let it holdme back.
"I've always been active and, even with just the one leg, I wanted to make a difference by fund-raising for cancer charities.
"I love taking part in the walks. They are great fun.
"I have a prosthetic leg but it can be uncomfy so I chose to walk with my crutches alone.
"There are times when it gets tough but knowing you are doing something to help other people keeps you moving."
Bob will take part in the 10-mile walks in Glasgow and Edinburgh next month.
He said: "Maggie's does a fantastic job helping families with cancer across the country."
Bob added that some of the money raised from his recent walks would be used to fund a new Maggie's centre in Fife.
Maureen Fee, head of the Maggie's centre in Glasgow, described Bob as an inspiration to cancer sufferers.
She said: "We want to attract at least 1000 people to take part in the walks alongside Bob.
"We hope to get families, grannies, work colleagues and school and community groups involved."
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