Hot Health Tips

Is Your Sunscreen Protecting You From Skin Cancer?
By Dr. Jeff Bartlett

For many years now, we have been tied to the notion that in order to protect ourselves from the damaging effects of the sun, we must lather on sunscreen when we go outdoors. In fact, not to do so could be deemed downright negligent. But to our amazement, when researching this issue, we found that sunscreen may not actually protect against serious skin cancers. Furthermore, the use of sunscreen may introduce toxic chemicals into your system. But how can this be? This goes against everything that we've been told by the media! The fact is that even though we have been steadfast about utilizing sunscreen, melanoma (the most dangerous form of skin cancer) is still on the rise (American Cancer Society 2003).

Sunscreen may not protect you from melanoma...
the deadliest form of skin cancer!

The incidence of skin cancer in the United States has risen dramatically in recent years - including 1 million cases of squamous and basal cell cancers annually, and 54,000 diagnosed cases of malignant melanoma in 2003 (ACS 2003). It is well known that sunscreen lotions do decrease the risk of sunburn, but new evidence is showing that the majority of sunscreens available today do not block UVA rays, which are the causative agent in malignant melanoma. According to a Swedish study in 1992, UVA was classified as a probable human cancer-causing agent by the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC). We do know that UVA range of sunlight ages and damages our skin, potentially causing skin cancers. But it may be a surprise to learn that the SPF (sun protection factor) numbers on the labels refer only to UVB screening and not UVA (Drs. Eades, PPL 2000, pg231). However, there are a few new forms of sunscreen reaching the market today that contain the UVA-blocking agent titanium dioxide (we'll mention its toxic effects later). UVA makes up 90-95% of natural ultraviolet light, with UVB composing the remainder. Therefore, if you use a sunscreen with the highest protection factor of 45, and apply it correctly, you're still subjecting yourself to overexposure of harmful UVA rays. Instead, we recommend limiting your sunbathing time, and using clothing to block UVA rays when the sun is most intense (12:00pm- 2:00pm).

We also need to keep in mind the many benefits of natural sunlight. If humans have worshipped the sun since the beginning of existence, then why, in just the last couple of decades, has skin cancer become such a problem? The depletion of the ozone layer is the obvious answer, but could there also be another factor? Many leading experts in alternative health care believe the problem is more a result of a collective weakening of the immune system, and thus a reduced defense against cancers. Maybe it is not the "deadly sun", but the fact that we as a nation are overexposed to pollution, pesticides, herbicides and toxic chemicals, which has left us defenseless against cancer and disease. This is a reminder that proper nutrition and exercise is essential in strengthening our immune system and overall health potential.

What makes up sunscreen?

Do you ever wonder what is in sunscreen and what chemicals you are introducing into your body? According to Dr. Mercola, 2003, "sunscreen is one of the LAST things you want to put on your body." Many other doctors are starting to agree that sunscreen contains toxic chemicals that can cause health problems and increase your risk of disease.

The following is a list of active ingredients in sunscreen that the FDA classified as GRASE (generally regarded as safe and effective)...but are they?

If you follow the common recommendation to apply generous amounts of sunscreen every few hours, you will be absorbing a substantial amount of these chemicals into your system.

Sunscreen also stops Vitamin D production!

There is another major problem with sunscreen aside from the potential chemical toxicity...it blocks your skin's ability to make vitamin D by more than 95 percent (Mercola 2003). According to Dr. Micheal Eades M.D., when sunlight strikes exposed skin, the UVB portion causes a chemical change in a specific type of cholesterol present in the skin, converting it to an inactive precursor form of vitamin D, which the liver then converts to active vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential for bone growth and mineral balance in your body. Let us remind you that most sunscreens will only block UVB, which is essential for vitamin D production; when you are using that SPF 45 sunscreen, not only are you unprotected from UVA, but you are also effectively preventing your body's natural ability to produce vitamin D. Research has shown that only 20 centimeters of exposed skin (the size of your forearm- without sunscreen) for three hours will produce the minimum daily requirement of 400 IU of vitamin D.

The key to preventing skin cancer is to
avoid BURNING!

In the minds of many, the sun is the chief culprit behind the rising rates of skin cancer-a premise that is not entirely correct. We need to dispel the notion that exposing yourself to the sun can only do you harm. Of course, we encourage frequent, gradual exposure to the sun to slowly generate pigment production and avoid burning. At the beginning of the season, go out gradually and limit your exposure to as little as 10 minutes a day. Progressively increase your time in the sun so that in a few weeks you will be able to have normal sun exposure with little risk of burning.

When all the facts are in, we believe that if you expose yourself to the sun in a safe and responsible manner, you will be able to reap the marvelous benefits of nature, while avoiding the potential risks. In fact, we are going to write you up a prescription for a daily dose of sunshine!

In summary here is how to enjoy the sun safely:

• Get short bouts of regular sun
• Cover up between 10:00am- 2:00pm.
• DO NOT LET YOURSELF BURN!
• Use omega-3 oils (fish and flaxseed oil) to promote increased immunity against cancers.
• Take full-spectrum vitamins & minerals, with a special focus on anti-oxidants. Vit A, C and E, Selenium, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and phytonutrients; like proanthocyanidins (grape seed extract), sulforaphane (broccoli extract), and lycopene (tomato extract). Remember, free-radicals are induced as a natural by-product of sun tanning