Sun Screens & Cancer. Is there a connection?

Today (22 September 2023) marks the Autumn Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s the transition between the end of Summer and the beginning of Autumn.

Time to dig out your warmer clothing, scarves and beanies in preparation for the colder days ahead.  And don’t forget those fuzzy socks; the unsung heroes of chilly toes everywhere.

For those of you in the southern hemisphere it’s a great time for outdoor activities whether it be on the beaches, in the parks, the hillsides or somewhere in the warm sunshine.

What You Need To Know

Here’s the lowdown on soaking up the sunshine.

Our cosmic friend, the sun is an unsurpassed broad-spectrum medicine.  Get yourself into the sun during the day and wear a hat and t-shirt rather than covering your skin with toxic sunscreen.   

On average 20 minutes a day in the sun triggers your body to release over 200 antimicrobials that fight fungi, parasites and viruses.  In that respect it’s a powerhouse.

Common sense tells us if we have paler skin we have to adjust accordingly.

You’d be surprised how many people can’t find the time to do this.  Come on – it’s just 1,200 seconds. Netflix can wait.

Sunshine creates Vitamin D (the “antibiotic vitamin”). Formed under the skin this is one of those essential ingredients for a healthy body. Apart from being a wonderful mood enhancer, any deficiency can lead to depression and become a health hazard.

Exposing your body to sunlight is what increases the active levels of Vitamin D.  It’s like a secret solar handshake; critical for your immune function as these days we have a chronic epidemic of vitamin D deficiency, leading to a few health hiccups.

It’s also vital for boosting the immune system, helps you absorb calcium and keeps teeth/bones and the nervous system healthy. 

Laboratory studies show that vitamin D can reduce cancer cell growth, help wrangle infections and minimise inflammation.

So why block it from forming?

What They Don’t Tell You

We’re repeatedly warned about being careful of the sun. We respond by slapping on sun creams to protect us from potential skin damage. 

In that respect sunscreen is effective in protecting your skin from harmful UV rays.

But it’s also stopping Vitamin D from being formed.  What you’re slapping on your face and body is chemicals that actively prevent sunlight penetrating your skin.

What we’re being told is not even close to the truth.  That warm, friendly ball of fire in the sky is an unsung hero…..yet we don’t read the right instructions!

The question is: Does Sunscreens CAUSE Cancer and Sunlight PREVENTS It?

What is it you are putting on your body? Chemicals. The secret agents of chaos, promoting cancer in disguise?

Does it come as a surprise to you that the sun cream industry has been misleading people for years? Depending on where you live, sunshine comes in reasonable doses.  

The Australian nation is rightfully concerned about skin cancer. However, the statistics are misleading because they may be addressing it the wrong way.  

Stop being part of a science experiment. Be more questioning about the sun creams they dish out.  

Instead of using the typical Mainstreet sunscreen look out for one that is mineral based. Zinc-oxide based creams provide a better option. Therefore, always check the ingredients of what you’re putting on your skin. 

There are a wide range of creams available but don’t buy something just because the word ’natural’ appears on it.   A bee sting is 100% natural but you wouldn’t  find us lining up for that experience,

Worth noting

•  Some sun creams may cause skin irritation and allergic reactions 
•  The chemical ingredients oxybenzone and octinoxate can penetrate the skin and potentially disrupt hormone systems in some individuals.
• In 2021, Hawaii banned sunscreens containing those two ingredients oxybenzone and octinoxate because studies showed that them to have a damaging impact on Hawaii’s marine environment and ecosystems,
•  The application of sun cream can cause a false sense of security, causing people to spend more time in the sun than they should. Always take a T-Shirt and brimmed hat with you.
• Environmental Working Group (EWG) and Consumer Reports have warned consumers against using many types of conventional sunscreens, especially on children. 
• Of the 1,400+ sunscreens tested by the EWG, only 5% met their safety standards and over 40% were listed as potentially contributing to skin cancer.
• Spray options have become increasingly popular in recent years, but have additional dangers, especially if inhaled.
• Many also contain methylisothiazolinone, which the American Contact Dermatitis Society named as its “allergen of the year”.
• Europe has stricter standards for sun protection. 
• Many US sunscreens are too weak to be sold in Europe and offer much less UVA protection. 
• UVA doesn’t cause sunburn but can cause aging and may also be a factor in melanoma.
• Only about half of US formulations passed Europe’s more rigorous UVA standards.

The safest Sun protection: Cover up or stay in the shade.

Support your body internally from sun damage by avoiding foods such as processed vegetable oils, processed grains and sugar and focus on foods high in antioxidants such as:

• Dark chocolate with more than 85% cacao
• Pecan nuts
• Blueberries, Raspberries & Strawberries
• Artichoke
• Kale & Red Cabbage

and healthy fats that support your skin health such as:

• Vitamin D 3
• Vitamin C
• Coconut oil
• Astaxanthin

Always READ THE LABELS.  

If you can’t pronounce any words be suspicious. 

My rule of thumb – never put on your skin what you wouldn’t put in your mouth.

Dr Elmar Jung