Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Friday, January 23, 2015

It’s Time To Stop Perpetuating The Myth That Sunlight Causes Cancer

Sunlight DOES NOT Cause Skin Cancer, It's Your Best Defense Against Cancer

An individual’s view of health determinants is directly correlated to their sources and how they process information. Regardless of its accuracy, when something is repeated a sufficient number of times, people will start to believe it.

The cancer and sunscreen industries have made it their mission to convince the world that sunlight is a primary cause of skin cancer, when it fact it has been shown to prevent it. In fact, considerable evidence shows that blocking the sun’s rays from reaching our skin with, for example sunscreen, significantly decreases our uptake of vitamin D levels, leading to higher mortality, critical illness, mental health disorders and cancer itself.

The southern hemisphere is currently experiencing record temperatures raising the mercury to levels many regions have never experienced. Some climatologists have stated that the trend will continue in the northern hemisphere come July. With these hot temperature come extreme warnings from public health officials to slather on the sunscreen to prevent skin cancer and specifically protect us from melanoma.

Is melanoma deadly? It definitely can be. There are more than 70,000 cases in the US alone every year and almost 10,000 people will die of the disease yearly. Melanoma accounts for less than two percent of skin cancer cases, but the vast majority of skin cancer deaths. Of the seven most common cancers in the US, melanoma is the only one whose incidence is increasing. Between 2000 and 2009, incidence climbed 1.9 percent annually. It’s also the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second most common form of cancer for young people 15-29 years old.

More

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

So, what is the cause of the phenomenal skin cancer rate on the Eastern Shore?
Nearly 90% of the melanoma cases seen in the state are on the Eastern Shore.

Anonymous said...

Just the cases seen at PRMC of local people are at twice the rate of the state and the nation. This is not counting those who go elsewhere for treatment, such as Johns Hopkins or University Hospital, etc.

Anonymous said...

As a melanoma survivor, I think I'll continue to apply sunscreen. If you agree you are certainly welcome to take the risk...

Anonymous said...

The article could have used some data to back it up.

To the commenter at the original site that said, "Why don't you just use a sun umbrella at the beach?" and acted all superior.

Because the beach reflects rays onto you. Sort of like getting a sunburn on a snow-covered day.

Last it was studied, it only takes 20 minutes of sunlight to get your daily dose of Vitamin D.

Someone on the original article mentioned GMO food. I'd been more inclined to blame that, mixed with genetics and other factors, than to blame zinc oxide, etc.