One might compare exposure to ultraviolet radiation with driving a car: both are not without risks. In much the same way as somebody who very regularly drives a car runs a higher risk of being involved in an accident, a person who receives a high dose of radiation runs an increased risk of suffering from harmful side-effects. As a result, skin cancer that develops this way, most often occurs in people who spend much time outdoors for professional reasons, people that have very sensitive skin or people that have been exposed toan excessive amount of sun as a child. Seen in this light, the illness is the total of all the damage suffered by the skin (also see section 18).

On the whole, most types of skin cancer can be treated successfully, especially when discovered at an early stage. This does not apply tho the rarer, malignent melanoma (occurs in 4% of all cases). As the relationship between UV-radiation and the production of melanoma is not yet clear, different medical theories are currently in circulation

Fact: A fovourite plant is the Helianthemum that grows in dry, sunny places and is cultivated in many colours. The Heliotrope is a member of a different family and bears sweet-smelling white and purple flowers.