Goodbye sunscreen - Hello shade!

Hey everyone,

I am quite fair and burn relatively easily.  Last summer I was pretty vigilant about wearing sunscreen, even on weekdays - when my only sun exposure was at 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.  At the end of the summer - I was still white as a ghost however I felt that I had done the right thing.  Well - it turns out maybe I hadn't.

Some recent studies suggest that sunscreen may accelerate or promote skin cancer.  Why?  Here's a few reasons:

1) Vitamin A - which is found in many high-end facial moisturizers/sunscreen is photocarcinogenic.  This means that when it is exposed to the sun it can cause cancerous tumours.  Vitamin A, often in the form of retinol, is often added to sunscreen because of its antioxidant properties.  It is also believed to reverse skin aging.  But it turns out it this "anti aging favourite" becomes nasty when it reacts with sunlight.  For more info: http://www.aolnews.com/2010/05/24/study-many-sunscreens-may-be-accelerating-cancer/

2) Many of the ingredients found in sunscreen lotion are absorbed into your skin and are often hormone disrupting and adversely affect the immune system.

3)  Even weak sunscreens will block UVB rays from reaching your skin surface and will consequently reduce the production of Vitamin D by 95%.   Vitamin D is important for healthy bones as well as a healthy immune system, preventing multiple sclerosis and certain forms of cancer.  I think it is important to note that many fatty fish are also a good source of Vitamin D.

4) Sunscreens often contain oxybenzone, a chemical that absorbs UVA and UVB rays.  Oxybenzone produces free radicals when it reacts with sunlight.  Free radical damage can lead to cancer.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) tested 500 sunscreens and found that only 39 were up to par.  I would recommend you check out the EWG's full ranking of sunscreens.

http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/best-beach-sport-sunscreens/ 

Another thing that is pretty shocking is that even the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other national cancer research and dermatology institutes don't believe that sunscreen is very effective in preventing skin cancer, if at all.  In 2009, the National Cancer Institute stated: “It is not known if protecting skin from sunlight and other UV radiation decreases the risk of skin cancer. It is not known if non-melanoma skin cancer risk is decreased by staying out of the sun, using sunscreens, or wearing long sleeve shirts, long pants, sun hats and sunglasses when outdoors”.

Check out the link below for more information.

http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/full-report/health-agencies-question-sunscreen-efficacy/

Why is everybody wearing sunscreen when the leading institutions do not even know if it is effective?

Here is what I am going to do with this information.  For this one - I am not going to try and tell you what to do because the stakes are high.

1 - I will not wear sunscreen.
2 - I will wear a hat, bring an umbrella to the beach, use a t-shirt etc.  when I am in the sun between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.  - I think the umbrella at the beach is really key for being able to comfortably read.  I can't lie on my back - even with sunshades and read a book comfortably.
3 - I will not be afraid of getting a little bit of natural sunlight, HOWEVER, - I will not get one burn this summer.  I promise.
4 - I will continue to eat a diet rich in Vitamin D food (ex. salmon, vitamin D enriched milk).
5- I will do regular skin checks to make sure that I don't have any new odd looking moles.  See the attached link for a guide on what to look out for: http://www.golfdigest.com/images/magazine/2008/07/maar02_skin.gif


I hope you keep your eyes and ears open for information on the best way to protect yourself from skin cancer.  Please share any additional knowledge on skin cancer below.  Free yourself!