A comparison between solar radiation and skin cancer in South Brazil

Abstract

Skin cancer has been highly detected in Brazil over the last decade. It causes genetic mutations in cells, which are mostly related to family health history and exposure to ultraviolet (UV) ray. It has not found in hospitals data a correction between UV radiations to cancer incident. The objective of this work is to investigate the correlation level between skin cancer cases and the solar UV radiation levels from 2006 to 2014. It was considered two South Brazilian cities: Curitiba at 800 meters above the sea level and the island of Florianopolis. Data were obtained from INCA (National Institute of Cancer) and INPE (National Institute of Space Research). Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used for the numerical analysis, according to the city, cancer type (non-melanoma and melanoma) and sexual gender. According to Student “t” curve and using the 5% meaningfulness level for a bilateral test, results showed a minimum absolute value of 0.88 for the correlation. The cases of non-melanoma cancer in women could not be corrected, accordingly. It can be concluded that the geographical factor also shows to be relevant in the skin cancer incidence, as well as the solar UV radiation.