Oncologist Paulo Hoff warned that excessive sun exposure is the most common cause of cancer, particularly non-melanoma skin cancer. In a course on CasaFolha, he emphasizes the importance of prevention and early diagnosis to boost cure rates. Hoff recommends avoiding the sun between 10am and 2pm and using sunscreen.
Paulo Hoff, tenured professor at the Faculdade de Medicina da USP and president of Oncology at Rede D'Or, highlighted the risks of sun exposure during an interview on CasaFolha. "The most common cause of cancer, incredibly, is excessive sun exposure," the doctor stated. He explained that non-melanoma skin cancer is extremely common and linked to sun exposure, especially in younger ages.
Hoff distinguished non-melanoma from melanoma, which is a dangerous disease. "Non-melanoma skin cancer is much easier to treat. It is often cured in its first evaluation by a dermatologist or general surgeon," he said. However, any skin tumor deserves attention.
In the course "Cancer: Prevention and Paths to Cure," available since May 15 on CasaFolha, the oncologist lists reasons for caution with various types of cancer and teaches preventive measures. For skin cancer, he advises: "It is said that the ideal is not to expose oneself to the sun between ten and 2pm. If going in the sun, use sunscreen."
The doctor emphasizes early diagnosis as a crucial factor. "The earlier cancer is detected, the greater the chance it hasn't spread and that initial treatment will succeed," he explains. Globally, about 50% of cancer patients are cured; in Brazil, 60%; in the US, 70%. Hoff believes Brazil can improve to reach the American standard.
Prevention is ideal, according to him. "That beach situation where you stay in the sun until you turn red is extremely harmful and, in the long term, can lead to skin tumors," he warned. He mentioned basal cell carcinomas and epidermal carcinomas, which have simple treatments but are important.