According to a study conducted by the University of Washington (USA) and published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology , driving in the summer with your arm out of the car increases the risk of skin cancer. To reach this conclusion, the scientists examined a federal database of cancer patients. And they found that both melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma – a rare but very aggressive skin tumor – have a higher incidence in the left arm . The increased exposure to ultraviolet rays that involves sticking your arm out the window while driving could explain these differences, according to the study authors.
In fact, in countries like Australia, where driving on the other side, the incidence of these types of cancer is higher in the right arm than in the left. The researchers recommend driving with the windows closed in summer , as well as that professionals who spend a lot of time behind the wheel, such as truckers or taxi drivers, use sunscreen.
