Dr. Mercola July 11 2007 33,745 views
The American Cancer Society, partnering with sunscreen maker Neutrogena, has decided to take a shock-and-fear approach in their latest cancer prevention campaign.In the ad, a young woman holds a photograph of a smiling blonde, with the accompanying headline, "My sister accidentally killed herself. She died of skin cancer." It warns readers that "left unchecked, skin cancer can be fatal," and to "use sunscreens, cover up and watch for skin changes."Some public-health doctors are responding with sharp criticism, pointing out there is no clear evidence supporting the link between sun exposure and death from skin cancer.
Here we have yet another MAJOR scam or complete lack of understanding about the true cause of disease which results in massive misinformation that confuses people and worsens their health by depriving them of one of the most important vitamins known to man.
The American Cancer Society has once again continued to promote fantasy rather than facts in their latest anti-sun ad campaign. The link between sun exposure and skin cancer is vastly overblown, and there is little, if any, evidence that sunscreens actually protect you against melanoma.
In addition to that, skin cancer is rarely life-threatening. It represents only 2 percent of all cancer deaths. Most skin cancer deaths are from melanoma, which in turn makes up only 6 percent of all skin-cancer cases. It’s even been shown that people who had lots of sun exposure prior to their diagnosis of melanoma had much higher survival rates than those with limited prior sun exposure.
It’s not hard to see why these ads are being shown, considering that they are being funded by sunscreen maker Neutrogena (something that goes unmentioned in the ads themselves), which stands to benefit financially from the message.But if the sun is not the main cause behind the deadly form of melanoma, what is? The answer is: it's your omega 6:3 oil ratio. To quote from the journal Cancer Research: "Epidemiological, experimental, and mechanistic data implicate omega-6 fat as stimulators and long-chain omega-3 fats as inhibitors of development and progression of a range of human cancers, including melanoma."
In 2001, the prestigious National Academy of Sciences published a comprehensive review showing that the omega 6:3 ratio was the key to preventing skin cancer development. And an Australian study done about 15 years ago showed a 40 percent reduction in melanoma for those who ate omega-3 rich fish.
Do exercise caution when in the sun; sunburns can be dangerous. At the beginning of the season go out gradually, perhaps as little as ten minutes a day. Progressively increase your time in the sun so that in a few weeks, you will be able to have normal sun exposure with little risk of skin cancer. Just remember never to get burned, which is the key to safe sun exposure.
I'm very grateful to Dr. Mercola for pointing me on the right path.
With my Irish ancestry I'd come to shun the sun in recent years but thanks to Mercola.com I've changed my entire approach - and background reading elsewhere only confirms the false hold that the dermatolgists' position has on public policy.
The result is I now seek out the sun every day. Of course I still respect my genetic heritage and the limitations it imposes but the results have been remarkable. My mood and self-image have improved immeasurably and I know in my heart of hearts that I am healthier, calmer and more relaxed.
I'd always wondered why 20 cigarettes-a-day were so much more lethal in Glasgow or Dublin when compared to Athens (Greece) or Rome - or indeed why multiple sclerosis and heart disease is so much more prevalent in areas with little sun. The Irish suffer some of the highest rates in the world. Yes the diet does make a difference... but not that much. The fact is that Greeks and Romans are not suffering from critically-low levels of (protective) Vitamin D from January to June. I can't find the article now but it stated that c. 3000 fatal cancers are caused by sunshine annually in UK BUT 16,000 CASES ARE PREVENTED BY SUNSHINE. That's good enough for me. It's 11 am and a lovely day here in Italy so I'm off to the beach now! :-P
More proof if proof were needed:
news.bbc.co.uk/.../6906712.stm
Sunshine 'protective' against MS
People who spend more time in the sun as children subsequently have a lower risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), a US study shows.