Xeroderma Pigmentosum, or XP, is a genetic disorder that affects the ability of skin cells to repair the damage done by ultraviolet (UV) light. This means that UV light can easily cause burns, cancers, and other skin malignancies. In extreme cases, those suffering from XP have to avoid exposure to even the smallest amount of sunlight, and even be wary of artificial sources of UV light— such as neon tubes and some energy-saving fluorescent lamps. The necessity of complete avoidance of sunlight has led to individuals with the disease being given the nickname in French of Les Enfants de la Lune (Children of the Moon).
Cancers caused by XP usually develop between the ages of two and ten. Without protection from the sun, a patient is 4,000 times more likely to develop skin cancer than other children. Life expectancy of those who live without protection is less than 20 years. The condition is caused by a recessive gene, which means that both parents must have the gene for XP to manifest itself in their children. A couple giving birth to one baby with XP has a 25 percent chance of having another child with the disease. The incidence of XP in newborn babies worldwide is one in every 300,000, while in Tunisia it is one in 10,000, and in some regions of the country up to one in 100. Part of the reason for this is thought to be intermarriage between cousins, which is still traditional practice in some areas. Lack of public awareness of the disease is also a contributing factor.
The revolution has shone a light on Tunisia and brought much out into the open—but for people with XP, the sun will always keep them inside. The sun brings happiness, and sunlight helps us to believe in better days. Unfortunately, some people are rejected by the sun. Unlike the rest of us, they don’t know how glorious a ray of sunlight can feel. XP can have a devastating effect on young lives. Even simple things—going to school, playing outside, meeting friends—can be a struggle. In Tunisia, where houses traditionally have open patios, this can present problems even at home. The incidence of XP in Tunisia is very high. Children from poorer families are the most affected, as less-educated parents fail to understand the disease, or the preventative measures that must be taken— early diagnosis and avoidance of the sun is essential. Often, married couples who have a child with XP see it as fate, or the will of God, and do not realize that they have a high chance of giving birth to more children with the disease. Despite the prevalence of XP in Tunisia, awareness of the disease—even among some doctors—is not widespread. State help for people with XP is minimal, though shortly before the 2010/2011 revolution, an NGO was founded to help raise awareness of XP, and help people with the condition to gain better access to medical attention.