The debate about our exposure to sunlight and what it does in terms on skin cancer has gone back and forth. Recently, a Boston professor of dermatology has been asked to resign because he advocates moderate exposure to sunlight.
Michael F. Holick, MD, PhD, wrote a book describing the importance of being exposed to Vitamin D from the sun. But dermatologists have been telling us for years to stay out of the sun. So, is this doctor crazy? See the full story here: http://chetday.com/skincancersun.htm
Truth is, no one is really sure the exact correlation of exposure to the sun to melanoma. Because another study noted that people who have jobs outside, and who are in the sun all day, actually have a lowered chance of getting melanoma. And that study stated that “It is having fair skin, a high-fat, low fruit and vegetable diet, sunburning, etc., that are more linked to melanoma than total UV exposure.”
Unfortunately, we need to figure out for ourselves what it considered too much exposure, the right amount, and what our other chances of getting cancer are (like smoking or family history). And yet another kink in the works says that melanoma is actually more common on the bottom half of the body, not the arms and face, which are naturally exposed to the sun more often. How is that possible?
Vitamin D, which we get from the sun, is said now to fight many cancers, and many doctors are coming back around to say that a little exposure is good, otherwise you may end up Vitamin D deficient.
And in another series of four studies, it was concluded in two that sunscreen protected against a precancerous skin condition while two others reported that sunscreen did not shield people from this condition.
And meanwhile, another study showed that Vitamin D supplements actually do nothing to inhibit melanoma.
So, how can we even make an informed decision with all this back and forth data? The key here is to do everything with your doctor’s advice, and in moderation.
Sure, a vitamin D supplement will prove to be beneficial, but you need to also combine that with going into the sun for a limited amount of time every day. Make sure when you go out into the sun you cover up after a short period of time. Make sure you do not sunburn and wear sunscreen no matter what!
At our offices we routinely check for vitamin D levels, which may not normally done at a regular doctor’s office.
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