Professor to shed light on how much sun is bad for you

Published On Tue 3 May 2016 by Dominic Younger

As spring fights with snow to light up Scotland’s sunniest city, the ultra-violet radiation from the sun, as well as manmade sources such as sunbeds, is causing a spike in skin cancer rates across the country.

Professor Charlotte Proby, from the University of Dundee, will discuss the hazards (and benefits) of our sun during the next Café Science event, which takes place at Avery & Co on Monday, 9^th May.

“Light and radiation from our Sun is the basis of life on Earth,” explains Professor Proby. “However, sunlight is a powerful carcinogen that is driving the current skin cancer epidemic. Our immune system plays an important role in reducing the risk of skin cancer. My talk will focus on the extent to which the sun can be both beneficial and a detriment to our health.”

Professor Proby, whose research is focused on one of the most common cancers, is the Personal Chair for Dermatology at Dundee.

Over the past eight years, the monthly Café Science events have attracted more than 7000 visitors keen to hear from leading local researchers about the ground-breaking science taking place at the Universities of Dundee and Abertay.

‘How much Sun is bad for you?’ takes place at Avery & Co, South Tay Street, from 7pm on Monday, 9^th May. This is a free event and everyone is welcome. There is no need to book in advance but arrive early to avoid disappointment.

More information is available at www.cafesciencedundee.co.uk

Photo by Indr? Urbanavi?i?t?

For media enquiries contact:
Dominic Glasgow
Media Relations Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
Tel: +44 (0)1382 385131
Email: d.w.glasgow@dundee.ac.uk