FREE Subscription The World’s Most Popular Natural Health Newsletter   
The Sunscreen Myth: How Sunscreen Products Actually Promote Cancer

SunscreenThe hard-hitting NewsTarget piece linked below explains in detail how the idea that sunscreen prevents cancer is nothing more than a myth promoted by industries seeking to make a profit off of human suffering.

In fact, sunscreen actually promotes cancer by blocking your body's absorption of ultraviolet radiation, and therefore blocking the production of vitamin D in your skin.

Studies have shown that vitamin D can prevent as many as 77 of all cancers. In addition, most sunscreen lotions also contain cancer-causing chemicals.

A portion of the profits from the sale of these lotions is then donated to organizations such as the American Cancer Society, which in turn runs public service ads encouraging the use of sunscreens.

Proper nutrition is a better way to prevent sunburn then sunscreen lotion. Berries and microalgae such as spirulina, astaxanthin, and blue-green algae can make the body naturally resistant to sunburn, as well as similar radiation damage to the eyes and optic nerve.

NewsTarget.com June 15, 2007


Dr. Mercola's Comment:

How many people know that not getting enough sun KILLS 50,000 people from cancer deaths every year in the US alone?

The myth that the sun is detrimental to your health, and that sunscreen is a necessity to guard against cancer is one of the most pervasive hoaxes in our society today.

As this article points out, this myth can be traced back to the two industries that benefit the most: the cancer industry and the sunscreen manufacturers. These two giant profit-makers tag-team efforts which keep the unsuspecting public in a trance.

Not only do sunscreens promote cancer by blocking your vitamin D production, they are also likely carcinogens all by themselves. A study in the April 2004 Journal of Chromatography found that there is significant penetration of all sunscreen agents they studied into the skin.

So when you use most sunscreens, your body is absorbing synthetic chemicals, and with experts' recommendations to apply generous amounts of the product every few hours, you will likely be absorbing a fair amount. Some of these chemicals are quite dangerous. Octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC), which is present in 90 percent of sunscreen brands, was found to kill mouse cells even at low doses.

Sunburn should always be avoided, but there are many all-natural ways to protect yourself from sunburn that you can use instead of resorting to the toxic infusions of commercial sunscreens. 

Boosting your skin's "internal sunscreen" from within with effective antoxidants from whole fresh vegetables and fruits like goji berries (not the juice), raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, are far healthier options. Additionally, slathering on some aloe vera gel can also be helpful.

If you're still hooked on the idea of a cream, there are safer natural sunscreen products that contain no petrochemicals, such as 
Aubrey's Active and Green Tea sunblocks. Just remember, although these products are non-toxic, they still prevent you from metabolizing vitamin D, so use them with caution.

I recommend testing your vitamin D levels to make sure you're not deficient before resorting to sunscreen of any kind.

For more information about the vital importance of vitamin D from sunlight, please review my article Reduce Your Risk of Cancer With Sunlight Exposure, if you haven't already seen it. You might also want to keep an eye out for my forthcoming book, Dark Deception, which is due to be published in 2008. It will take an in-depth look at all of the various issues relating to sunscreen, cancer, vitamin D, and sunlight.

Related Articles:




Did you find this article interesting?
Article's Comment     ( 45 Comments )
 
 
 +22 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY MarikaB   
  
[ Joined on 04/07 ]
[ Posted on June 19, 2007 ]
Post Reply
Philippa Darbre, an oncology expert at the university of Reading, in Edinburgh, England, is the lead researcher of the recent study. According to her study, the chemical form of paraben found in 18 of the 20 tumors tested showed that they came from something applied to the skin, the most likely candidates being deodorants, antiperspirants, creams, and/or body sprays.

In an interview with the New Scientist [January 12, 2004], Darbre pointed out that:

"One would expect tumors to occur evenly, with 20 percent arising in each of the five areas of the breast. But these results help explain why up to 60 percent of all breast tumors are found in just one-fifth of the breast, the upper-outer quadrant, nearest the underarm."

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has reported that nearly 900 of the chemicals used in cosmetics are toxic. Other groups believe the figure is much greater than that.

more here: http://www.blackherbals.com/no_more_pink_ribbons.htm

as for the sunscreen? The higher UV protection the more chemical content in the bottle........as I said here somewhere before......since I remember my mom put on me cooking oil or maybe some other home made oil/cream.....if I got sunburn sour cream came to the rescue (we did not live in the climate where aloe grew or was available in the store)
 

 +3 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY fullofoats   
  
[ Joined on 06/06 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on July 03, 2007 ]
 
A nanny for an oncologist recently told me that her employer bought a case of the "newest and best" sunscreen available for her family.  I looked up the product on ewg.org and found that the ingredients have been linked to CANCER.  It is difficult for me to comprehend how someone employed in cancer research can lather themselves up with carcinogens.  I think Dr. Mercola sums it up.

There are two types of sunscreen....chemical and physical.  I believe that physical sunblocks (which are less common) are healthier choices.  I also believe that the list of inactive ingredients is extremely important.

I have not applied sunscreen in years because I could not find a physical sunscreen free of harmful inactive ingredients.  I have chosen instead to use hats, clothing, shade and gradual exposure to the sun (to get my Vitamin D).  My family also eats organic produce (high in antioxidants), takes a whole-food probiotic (containing spirulina), and uses certified organic skin care products. My daughter is 17 months old now, has a light tan, and has never worn sunscreen.  I recently learned that a physical sunscreen with a beneficial inactive ingredient list will be available on August 6th.  Thanks, Dr. Mercola, for such an informative and helpful article.


 +1 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY Susan M   
  
[ Joined on 01/07 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on July 04, 2007 ]
 
Oh my gosh, Marika.  The cancer I have is located in just that area on both sides.  I have wondered if it occurred because of my use of deodorants. I have, of course gone the natural route with deodorants since being diagnosed.  Thanks for the heads up on this study. 

There is nothing I can do about the cancer per se now, what has happened, happened, but I am sure fussy about my body and what does and doesn't go on it or in it from now on.

And the most important thing I have to share with women and now men (as men are getting breast cancer now also) that if there is ANYTHING MYSTERIOUS ON YOUR MAMMOGRAM, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO ASK FOR IT TO BE BIOPSIED.  IF THEY WON'T, GO SOMEWHERE WHERE THEY WILL.  THEY LET MINE SIT FOR ALMOST A YEAR BEFORE REDOING IT AND NOW I AM STAGE 4 CANCER. I FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT THIS AS YOU CAN TELL.

My radiologist blew it off as did my family doctor, I felt something was wrong but didn't want to upset them by pushing for the biopsies as I had the same strange looking areas in both breasts.  I have learned it is my body and I need to seek out healthcare practioners who go along with this idea.

Susan M


            
 
Author of the Article
BY docpoehlmann   
  
[ Joined on 06/06 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on July 22, 2007 ]
 
The upper outer quadrant is exactly where the underwire from the bra cuts off the lymph drainage but the toxic chemicals women use to prevent the excretion of their toxins through the armpits may also play a role. Sunscreens do contain carcinogenic ingredients and it is long demonstrated by scientific research that the dangerous skin cancer - melanoma - mainly appears in areas that are usually not exposed to the sun. The other skin cancers are usually harmless and will hardly ever metastasize. A simple rule: The truth usually is reported only once. If it is on the news over and over again it is most likely a lie.

            
 
Author of the Article
BY Cool   
  
[ Joined on 06/07 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on July 05, 2007 ]
 

 
 +12 Points           
 
Author of the Article