Assessing the correlation between incidence of skin neoplasm and solar irradiance: modelling of public health implications

Abstract

Background: Skin cancer is currently among the major public  health concerns in Brazil due to the enormous intensity of mean annual solar radiation. This study aimed at evaluating the correlation between the incidence of skin neoplasm and solar irradiance in the São Paulo (SP) State of Brazil. Methodology: For this purpose, a regression analysis was performed using the mean annual number of skin neoplasm cases (melanoma and non melanoma) as a function of the mean monthly solar irradiance reported at different Regional Health Departments (RHDs) of the São Paulo State. Results: According to the data collected at RHDs, the highest mean solar irradiance and skin neoplasm cases were reported in the Northwest, North and West regions of the State with a reduction in the Southeast, South and East regions. The response of the mean annual number of skin neoplasm cases was exponential at the mean monthly solar irradiance, demonstrating the high potential of solar radiation impacting the incidence of skin cancer. Conclusion: The higher incidence of skin neoplasms (melanoma and non-melanoma) in the Northwest, North, and West regions of the State of São Paulo is associated with greater  exposure of rural workers to high solar irradiance, making legislative and public policy innovation imperative to improve population safety.