Ultraviolet rays and skin cancer Skin cancer is caused by exposure to sun. Skin cancer can develop with prolonged exposure or during short periods of more intense sun exposure. Ultraviolet light from the sun damages the DNA in our skin cells. Damage can occur years before cancer develops, so you may not even realize the harmful dangers your body faces when you are exposed to the sun. In 2016, an estimated 13,283 new cases of cutaneous melanoma will be diagnosed in Australia. The estimate is approximately 7,847 men and 5,436 women. In 2012, the rate was forty-nine cases per 100,000 people, or approximately sixty men and thirty-nine women. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essay Both UVA and UVB rays play a role in the process of skin cancer development. UVA rays penetrate the dermis, which constitutes the thickest layer of the skin. Unprotected exposure can lead to premature aging of the skin (wrinkles and sun spots) and suppression of the immune system. UVB rays will burn the surface layers of your skin. This is the cause of sunburn. Unlike UVA, UVB rays have different intensities throughout the year. UVB is the most common cause of most skin cancers. UVC rays are the most powerful and deadly rays from the sun, but the ozone layer prevents them from reaching Earth. The UV index is a prediction of the amount of skin-damaging UV radiation expected to reach the Earth's surface at the time the sun is highest in the sky. This is usually around noon. The amount of UV radiation reaching the surface is primarily related to the elevation of the sun in the sky, the amount of ozone in the stratosphere, and cloud cover. Thick cloud cover can reduce UV radiation levels and certain types of thin clouds can increase the strength of UV radiation. The UV index is calculated based on four factors: the thickness of the ozone layer detected using satellites, the cloud cover which blocks UV radiation to a certain extent, the time of year because Seasons like winter decrease UV radiation, and elevation, because the higher the elevation, the more radiation. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Personalized Trial Sunscreen is a combination of organic and inorganic active ingredients. Some inorganic ingredients such as zinc oxide reflect or scatter UV radiation. Organic ingredients such as oxybenzone dissipate on heating. Sun protection factor (SPF) measures the effectiveness of the sun protection formula in limiting skin exposure to skin-burning UV rays. The higher the SPF, the more UV protection you will receive..