Instead experts recommend that adults try to eat fish at least two times a week, with fattier fish like salmon, mackerel and trout as top picks.

Of the original 35,016 subjects in the research, 880 women were diagnosed with breast cancer by the end of the six-year study period. Among those who did get breast cancer only 5% reported regularly using fish oil at the start of the study. For those who remained free of cancer, 8% had been using fish oil at the beginning.

Even after considering factors like age, weight, self reported diet and exercise patterns, and family history of the disease; fish oil supplementation appeared to bring lower risk.

Clinical trials, the “gold standard” in terms of research, will tell us more, and senior researcher Dr. Emily White of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle while aware of the limitations of her work, points to the upcoming clinical trial as a way to find out more. Conducted by Harvard University, it will randomly assign participants to take fish oil or vitamin supplements, or a placebo in an effort to understand if either has an impact on the risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke in an older population.

White contends it is biologically possible for fish oil to affect breast cancer. Fish oil does have anti-inflammatory effects and chronic inflammation in the body is thought to have a role in cancer growth and spread.

Even so, whether fish or fish oil has an impact on cancer risk remains unclear, the team makes note of two earlier studies that examined a woman’s omega-3 intake from food and risk of breast cancer with neither finding any link.

Continues below…

Do Fish Oil Supplements Lower Risk Of Breast Cancer..? Continued…

White’s team also noticed that in a subgroup of the subjects with a history of heart disease, using fish oil was tied to an increased breast cancer risk versus non-use. This is surprising, and may be due in part to the small number of subjects… representing a chance finding instead of an effect of fish oil. More work is needed here too.

Fish oil is a natural source of healthy fatty acids (omega-3s for example) and has proven itself in clinical trials to lower triglycerides, high blood pressure and the risk of heart attack in those with heart disease. What we need is more evidence… so far many pieces of the puzzle are uncovered, but have yet to come together to give experts a full picture.

If you’re interested in preventing breast cancer, there are things you can be doing to help yourself. Get screened regularly. Live a healthy lifestyle (or as healthy as is possible for you) by eating well, exercising regularly and getting the rest your body needs. Don’t smoke or drink alcohol to excess, and be aware of the chemicals that might be in your environment. When it comes to breast cancer prevention, the best defense is a smart offense.

Share This

Earlier research findings have been murky where coffee and cancer risk are concerned, though sugared sodas have been reliably linked to obesity and other health problems that are thought to increase the risk of colon cancer.

In this review, Dr. Xuehong Zhang and a team out of the Harvard School of Public Health evaluated 13 studies including more than 730,000 subjects from all over the world. The studies lasted from as few as 6 to as long as 20 years. Of the subjects, more than 5,600 were diagnosed with colon cancer.

Colon cancer rates vary widely between countries, and experts suspect that lifestyle factors may well play an important role

The team found that drinking more than 6, eight-ounce cups of coffee a day did not increase the risk of colon cancer. This supports earlier research into coffee drinking and cancer.

Nor did drinking more than 18 ounces a day of sugar filled sodas, though these beverages have been linked to increases in risk factors for colon cancer (such as being obese and having diabetes), but there’s been little direct research on the association.

The researchers note that the number of heavy soda drinkers in their work was small, only 2% of the total, and this may well have impacted the results.

Surprisingly, there was a small but respectable boost (28%) in colon cancer risk for heavy tea drinkers (more than 4, eight-ounce cups of non-herbal tea/day). This too, the researchers caution, requires further study as there were not large numbers of subjects who drank that much tea.

The relationship is unclear at the moment according to Zhang as tea is known to have antioxidants that are thought to help prevent cancer, but also polyamines that have been found to promote cancer.

Continues below…

Certain Drinks Not Linked To Colon Cancer… Continued…

The team also noted that their findings on cancer risk were not affected all that much by other factors such as smoking status, alcohol consumption and gender of the subjects.

In a commentary that appeared with the review, experts from the Arizona Cancer Center point out that sugar sodas are the drinks of choice for children in many countries, unlike either coffee or tea.

Sweetened beverage intake is generally lower among older people. These differences in exposure suggest that the intake of sweetened drinks may call for earlier intervention by health care professionals in order to ward off later disease.

According to the American Cancer Society, colon cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer related death in the U.S., though the rate has been going down (thanks to better screening and treatments) over the last 15 years. This is why, as uncomfortable as they might make you, regular screening tests are one of the best ways to reduce your colon cancer risk. When caught early, patients can expect a complete cure.

Share This

The good news is that the majority of those polled were worried about skin cancer, and were aware of the need for good sun protection. Of course what we say, and what we do are often two different things.

The concern for doctors and specialists is that while skin cancer is treatable if detected early, if the disease has progressed too far, there is not much hope to be offered.

Another bright spot in the survey of adults in 26 cities across the U.S. is that 63% of respondents knew about the dangers of tanning indoors, but confusion remains about sunscreens. Only one in five people understood that wearing a sunscreen with SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 is not double the protection of an SPF 15 product. You still need to apply enough (about the size of a full shot glass) of a broad spectrum, water resistant product a half hour before you go out. You then need to reapply every two hours while out, or after swimming or sweating in order to get the full protective benefit.

When choosing your sunscreen, look for a product that offers both UVA and UVB protection, and check those expiration dates before you buy – sunscreen is usually good for no longer than three years, though its shelf life it cut shorter if the product has been exposed to high temperatures.

Mineral type sunscreens (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) are considered by some to be better than the chemical ones, lotions and creams are far more effective than the spray variety.

When it comes to the ultraviolet rays of the sun, only about a third of the 7,000 people surveyed knew that both UVA and UVB rays are not safe for your skin.

Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays are the ones mostly responsible for early aging, wrinkles, and tanning; ultraviolet B (UVB) rays are known as the “burning” ones that bring sunburn. Any UV exposure, whether from the sun or a tanning bed is unsafe. This is the number one avoidable risk for skin cancers according to dermatologist Dr. Zoe D. Draelos at Duke University School of Medicine.

Continues below…

Warning: Don’t Fall into the Sun Damage Trap… Continued…

About half of survey respondents thought that getting a base tan was a healthy way to protect the skin from damage. Dermatologists insist that a base tan is still evidence of harm to the skin, and it will not protect you from future sunburn.

The trouble is, despite what common sense tells us, images of tanned and toned celebrities are everywhere and a tan is still considered fashionable… a healthy glow. Even though many of these looks come from cosmetics, spray tanners or Photoshop, the image that tanned skin is attractive is still out there. Until that changes, it will be tough to get people to heed the warnings.

You may remember that the Environmental Working Group has released its annual report on sunscreens and being safe in the sun, and recommends that you not rely on any product as a single defense against skin damage. The only real protection you have from getting burned is to use sunscreen properly, but also to seek shade, wear protective clothing (and a hat) and avoid exposure during peak hours of the day.

Share This

Yet the latest work, just published in the Journal of Nutrition, found a clear benefit to eating healthy and reduced risk. Almost 147,000 new cases of colorectal cancer were identified last year in the United States, and this disease is the third leading cause of cancer in men, the fourth in women.

Paige Miller, PhD, a researcher at Pennsylvania State University, found that eating a healthy, plant based diet cut the risk of colon cancer by 65% in women and 62% in men. By any standards, this type of reduction is pretty impressive. Fish was part of the protective effect for men, while low fat dairy seems especially helpful for women, though the reason for this remains unclear.

The researchers looked at the diets of 431 men and women who had colorectal cancer alongside the eating habits of 716 healthy control subjects.

They categorized subjects into two eating styles; fruits and veggies diet pattern and a meat and potatoes, refined grains pattern. In men there was a third pattern, a diet that included lots of alcohol and sweetened drinks.

The diet pattern associated with higher cancer risk had more red and processed meats, poultry, fried and white potatoes, high fat dairy, refined grains, butter, gravy and mayonnaise, as well as the things we clearly expect to be bad, sweets and salty snacks.

Besides the reduction in colorectal cancer risk for those eating the fruits and veggie heavy diets, Miller found that more closely the subjects stuck to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the MyPyramid recommendations, the lower the cancer risk – as much as 44% for men and 56% for women.

Nutritionists and experts like Miller will tell you not to focus on a single food, nutrient or something else in the diet. Instead, try to eat an overall plant-based diet that has lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, seeds and vegetable oil. Experts think that these foods move waste through the colon more rapidly, which means any troublesome substance has less time to stick around.

Continues below…

Revealed: Healthy Diet Cuts Colorectal Cancer Risk… Continued…

The take home message for anyone, concerned about colorectal cancer or not, is to adopt a diet that’s good for you, balanced and a way of eating you adopt for life.

Diet is only one part of the colon cancer picture…

A history of ulcerative colitis also increases your risk, as does a family history of the disease. Colon polyps are the sites where most colorectal cancers develop; so removing these polyps can prevent cancer from getting started.

There are other risks that you can affect. Stop smoking, take control of your weight and don’t drink to excess as these have all been linked to a higher colon cancer risk. It’s also important to get annual exams and screenings, as colon cancer can have no symptoms. Healthy food choices, early detection and treatment can, and does, save lives.

Share This

The intriguing report appears in the July 2010 issue of Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, and is the work of a team out of the University of Milan who analyzed nine earlier case control studies that compared 5,139 subjects with head and neck cancer to 9,028 subjects who were cancer free.

The team, lead by researcher Carlotta Galeone, was exploring the relationship between the intake of coffee or tea and head and neck cancers.

They were surprised to find that those who drank more than 4 cups of coffee each day had a 39% lower risk of getting mouth cancer. The protection was found for oral and pharyngeal cancer, but not for cancer of the larynx. Experts believe this could be important in terms of explaining why the drink might be helpful.

For those who drank fewer than 5 cups of coffee each day, coffee had a smaller, yet still statistically significant, effect. It worked out to about a 4% lower risk of developing throat or mouth cancer for each cup of coffee you drink.

The protective effect of the coffee wasn’t diminished for those who drank alcohol or smoked cigarettes, two well known (and avoidable) risks for head and neck cancers.

Even more interesting, the protection didn’t get better if the subjects drank 4 or more cups of coffee a day and also ate lots of fruits and veggies which have been found to safeguard the body against head and neck cancers. Drinking caffeinated teas, even massive quantities, also wasn’t found to be protective.

Light to moderate coffee drinking didn’t appear to do anything to the risk of head or neck cancers.

This isn’t the first research to find benefits to drinking coffee. Nor is it the first to find that coffee may have an anti-cancer effect.

Recent studies have linked coffee drinking with smaller brain tumors and less likelihood of developing an aggressive form of prostate cancer. It’s also been tied to improved mental function and reduced stroke risk.

Continues below…

Popular Beverage Reduces Oral Cancer Risk… Continued…

Before you go grab another cup of your favorite brewed beverage, bear in mind that this delicious drink also contains more than a thousand chemicals, so no one can say for sure if the caffeine or another as yet unidentified substance is responsible for the protective effect it seems to have on cancers. There are some coffee chemicals, cafestrol and kahweol for example, that are known to have anti-cancer properties.

Considering how low survival rates are for head and neck cancer, and the already widespread use of coffee as a beverage, this may be a first step toward helping people reduce their risk of these cancers.

While more work is being done, you should do whatever else you can to reduce your risk of head and neck cancers. Continue to eat a diet rich in fruits and veggies, don’t drink excessive volumes of alcohol and if you smoke try to quit.

Everyone wants more research to be done to try and understand the role of coffee health benefits in reducing oral cancer symptoms in head and neck cancers. So stay tuned, and stick with the things you already know will help keep your body cancer free.

Share This

Eribulin is a new compound discovered and developed by Eisai. It is naturally derived compound that came from a marine sponge and is used as a chemo drug that works against the scaffolding that protects cancer cells, interfering with cell division and causing the cells to die off instead. This approach is used by older chemotherapy medications (taxanes) that work on a different part of the scaffolding.

The study involved 762 breast cancer patients whose tumors had spread despite chemotherapy, two thirds of them took the experimental drug eribulin given in a two to five minute IV infusion on day 1 and day 8 of a 21 day cycle.

The rest got whatever treatment (chemo, hormonal or biological therapy) their oncologist thought best. Sometimes this was another chemotherapy agent, in other cases only supportive care for pain and fatigue.

Eribulin takers lived an average of about 13 months, and were 19% less likely to die. Their cancer stayed in control a bit longer – 3.7 months vs. 2.2 months.

Tumors shrank by 30% (or more) in 12.2% of women taking the drug, vs. 4.7% of women in the other group. Christopher Twelves, MD, PhD of England’s St. James Hospital presented the results of the late stage phase III trial at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. He also consults for the company who makes the drug and funded the research.

After skin cancer, cancer of the breast is the most common cancer in U.S. women though rates have fallen in recent years.

Women fear it, and we’re encouraged to do monthly self exams and undergo annual screenings in an effort to detect such cancers early.

Despite all this, during 2010 an estimated 207,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and though rarer, nearly 2,000 men. Earlier diagnosis and better treatments are giving these patients the best chance yet of long-term survival.

Still, almost a third will develop metastatic disease that can’t be cured with the treatments we have today. For these patients eribulin is another much-needed option.

The downside?

Continues below…

New ‘Natural’ Chemo Drug Increases Survival In Breast Cancer… Continued…

About 4% of those taking eribulin did develop a potentially life threatening condition known as febrile neutropenia that brings fever, infection and low white blood cell count. This was about three times the rate of women getting standard treatment. Overall, the rate of serious side effects was the same in both groups, affecting one in four of the women.

The more common side effects of eribulin are fatigue, weakness, low white blood cell counts, hair loss and nausea – familiar to most chemotherapy patients today.

The good news, according to Twelves is that only 4.8% of women had to stop the treatment due to side effects.

If you’re interested in eribulin, you need to talk with your oncologist. This may be one of the last chemotherapy agents approved for breast cancer as most of the newer drugs (Herceptin and Tykerb) work differently, targeting specific molecular defects that fuel some types of tumors.

As a new breast cancer treatment, Eribulin has gotten a priority review for approval by the FDA, putting the medication on the fast track to approval within just 6 months compared to the standard ten months.

Share This

What’s more, the size of the tumor may well contribute to the aggressiveness of the disease in those men who have a higher BMI.

The experts discovered the relationship after examining the cases of 3,327 patients who had cancerous prostate tumors removed by a robotic procedure.

The study subjects were broken into six categories based on their BMI (a weight to height ratio) measurements. The generally accepted standards for BMI – under 24.9 being normal, 25.0 to 29.9 being considered overweight, 30.0 to 34.9 being considered obese and anything over 40.0 classified as extremely obese – were used here. The median age of the subjects was 60 years old across all measures of BMI.

Tumors were weighed and compared to a categorized database of prostate weight.

In each BMI group, without fail, the team found the patient’s weight was in direct correlation with tumor size. The more weight, the bigger the tumor; the less weight, the smaller the tumor.

According to estimates based on government data, prostate cancer deaths are expected to go up by 17% this year, diagnosed cases to rise by 13% – the biggest jump since the mid 1990s. In fact, this year an estimated 192,000 men will be diagnosed in the United States, 27,000 will die from the disease.

It’s also no secret that obesity rates are on the rise, and too much weight has been linked in research to a number of well-known cancers – cancer of the breast and endometrium (lining of the womb), the esophagus, the gallbladder, the kidney, the bowel and the pancreas.

Obesity also appears to affect the progression of disease once a patient starts treatment – obesity appears tied to recurrence. Why is this?

Science knows that heavier people produce more of hormones that help tumors to grow, and wider waistlines encourage the body to produce growth hormones that have also been linked to cancer.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men, and it typically grows slowly, very often staying in the prostate gland and not causing much concern. These are the cases that have the best chance of successful treatment – a reported 99% survival rate five years out. However, there are forms of prostate cancer that are aggressive and spread rapidly.

Continues below…

Patient Weight Linked To Tumor Size and Aggressiveness… Continued…

Of course, getting men to the doctor (let alone to submit to a digital rectal exam) isn’t all that easy. Many physicians attribute men’s reluctance to our macho culture that makes such visits seem like a sign of weakness.

PSA tests, though controversial, are intended to detect prostate cancer before it can be felt as a mass during an exam. The good news is that early detection can, and does, save lives. There are even forms of prostate cancer treatment that allow you to keep right on doing everything you do today. You can still live a long, active life.

While no one knows what causes prostate cancer, a family history, getting older, the effects of hormones as well as factors in the environment (toxins, chemicals and industrial products) and in your diet may all play a part.

If you’re worried about your own risk of developing cancer of the prostate or your BMI is higher than it should be, this research suggests that now is the time to do all you can to minimize obesity risks by getting your weight under control.

Share This

Scientists at Kansas State University, a leader in the area of food safety research and training, identified three spices, fingerroot (Chinese ginger), rosemary and tumeric, as being able to direct the greatest amount of antioxidant activity to preventing the formation of HCAs (heterocyclic amines), the cancer causers created when meats are barbecued, grilled, fried or broiled.

The team, supported by the Food Safety Consortium, evaluated six different spices; cumin, coriander seeds, fingerroot, galagal, rosemary and tumeric. Of these, fingerroot, rosemary and tumeric (all packed with antioxidants, by the way) can limit the amount of HCAs that form on your meat.

Rosemary was the strongest against HCA with a commercial extract available that brings numbers into the 61-79% range. This cuts the risk that comes from the HCA-associated with many cancers; colorectal, lung, mammary, pancreatic, prostate and stomach to name a few.

It appears that beef develops more HCAs than either chicken or pork according to KSU food chemistry professor J. Scott Smith. In recent years Smith has worked on projects looking for ways to cut HCAs. Those cooked beef patties we all love, that are so much a part of our summertime meals are also the cooked meat that has the highest mutagenic activity and is the most significant source of HCAs in your diet.

With grilling season almost upon us, there’s never been a better time to make spices part of your summertime cooking, whenever you can. The great thing about adding spices is that they make the meat able to stand up to the high temperature cooking (above 352 degrees F) yet block the increased HCA production that comes with intense flames.

Earlier work has shown that meat cooked under the 352-degree mark for under four minutes has low or undectable levels of HCAs, the compounds increasing as temperature and cooking times go up.

Besides adding flavor, spices will help you use less salt, another plus for your heart, and your health.

To be sure you’re handling meats and other foods safely, here are some important tips:

- Come straight home from the grocery store to keep food as cool as possible, put meats and dairy in the cart last at the store.

- Put meats and poultry in the fridge right away when you get home, Freeze chicken and ground beef that won’t be used in the next 1 to 2 days, 4 to 5 days for other cuts of meat.

- Completely thaw meat and poultry before you cook. You can do this in the fridge overnight or you can thaw sealed packages in cold water. Once thawed, don’t take meats out of the fridge until you’re ready to cook it. Using the microwave defrost program is great so long as the meat will then go right on the grill.

- Marinate meats in the fridge, not on the counter. Poultry, cubed meat or stew meat can be marinated up to 2 days; beef, veal, pork, lamb roasts, chops and steaks can be marinated up to 5 days. Don’t use the leftover marinade as a sauce as it could contain harmful bacteria picked up from the raw meat; instead reserve a portion of the marinade beforehand for use this way.

- Keep food cold at home, or if you’re taking something to another location, use an insulated cooler with ice or ice packs to keep the temperature at 40 degrees F or lower. Pack meats right from the fridge to the cooler just before you leave home.

Continues below…

Some Spices Cut Cancer Risk… Continued…

- Keep plenty of clean utensils and platters on hand, and be sure NEVER to use the same platter/utensils for raw and cooked meat or poultry.

- Cook foods to a safe, minimum internal temperature to completely kill any harmful bacteria. Don’t be fooled by a browned outside, use a meat thermometer to be sure its cooked on the inside.

- Keep hot foods hot, at least 140 degrees F. You can move things off to the side of the grill or place them in an oven set to 200 degrees F.

- In hot weather (over 90 degrees F) food should NEVER sit out for more than one hour. Refrigerate any leftovers right away; throw away anything left out for longer than two hours no matter what the temperature outside.

The KSU team will next be looking at other marinades and powders to be used on meats; earlier research has found that marinating steaks with some herbs and spices lowers HCA production. In the meantime, enjoy cooking with spices – you may well be helping to prevent cancer as you enjoy a delicious meal.

Share This

A limited number of studies also show that green tea might have a role in bringing down your cholesterol numbers, preventing diabetes and stroke, burning fat, maybe even holding off dementia. Impressive enough for American Dietetic Association spokeswoman and nutritionist Katherine Tallmadge, RD, LD to believe in green tea, in all teas in fact.

Before you jump on the green tea bandwagon, you need to understand you’ll be drinking more than a cup or two… at least three to an even better six cups a day are needed to get the benefits.

What’s more, how the tea is made is important, using bags or loose tea is the optimum choice – it must be brewed. You aren’t getting anything from an iced green tea drink you buy at the mini mart.

Green tea comes from the same plant, camellia sinensis, as black and oolong teas, and though each is created using different processing methods (green tea has minimal processing) all are typically brewed and drunk.

There are lots of varieties of green tea grown in areas all over the world, which allows for natural differences in taste and color that come as a result of growing conditions, harvesting and processing.

Drinkers say that green tea has a light, pleasing flavor.

The real world evidence for green tea benefits comes mainly from the lab, and this keeps experts from suggesting everyone start drinking it regularly.

There have been a few promising large scale studies in humans on the impact of green tea on heart disease and cancer, but it’s important to understand this research was conducted in the East, where green tea is part of everyone’s diet and where other foods (lots of fish and soy protein) and lifestyle factors may also be contributing to the benefits.

Green tea does have some key antioxidants (catechins) and compounds that are important to keeping your body healthy. Moderate green tea drinking is safe for most of us, though it does have some caffeine (not without side effects), and a small amount of vitamin K (an issue if you’re taking anticoagulants) per cup.

There are other natural sources of these healthful nutrients, foods that you can eat that might also deliver some incredible benefits to your health. Blueberries and pomegranates are both tasty options.

Continues below…

Green Tea: The Hottest ‘Superfood’ Around..? Continued…

You may also have heard of tea extracts in capsules, though experts aren’t sure that you get the benefits in this form. And while this formulation probably can’t hurt you, it certainly isn’t the optimal way to get the best of green tea nutrients. Experts speculate nutritious compounds in green tea might need to be consumed at the same time.

Green tea is also part of many skin care products. It does have antioxidant properties (beating out vitamins A, C and E) and can protect against sun damage by working to subdue unhealthy cells. It’s also good for easing rosacea redness, and has been found to be a good acne treatment as well.

Green tea health benefits can certainly complement other good things you’re doing in terms of diet according to Diane McKay, PHD, a Tufts University expert on antioxidants. It’s important to get a balance of fruits, veggies, grains, seeds and nuts in what you’re eating while adding a few cups a day of delicious, delightful green tea to what you’re drinking.

Share This

It might also interest those in the U.S. to know that Europeans have more options for sunscreen than we do, by a lot.

What’s more, these products would earn four star ratings from the FDA for UVA protection, providing up to five times more protection that what we’re using today.

Only too willing to use the same types of compounds, U.S. sunscreen makers have been cooling their heels for five years as they wait for the FDA to approve them.

According to the report, 92% of the sunscreens sold under the brand names you know either don’t provide sufficient protection from the sun, or are made with hazardous chemicals – or both.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has yet to finalize its 1978 sunscreen safety standards for sunscreens. Though UVB labels already exist, it’s the UVA rays that are associated with wrinkles and sagging, and also with skin cancer. UVB rays lead to sunburn and can also up the risks of skin cancer.

The Food and Drug Administration’s own draft of safety regulations from 2007 says that the agency isn’t convinced that sunscreen use by itself will help prevent skin cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) agrees.

There have also been studies that find an increase in melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) in sunscreen users. Maybe people stay out in the sun longer, thinking they are protected… or maybe the free radicals created by the breakdown of the sunscreen chemicals are to blame… no one can say for sure.

Also troubling is a recent FDA study that finds a form of vitamin A (added by manufacturers to 41% of products) might speed the development of skin tumors and lesions. While the vitamin might be perfectly fine in your night cream or skin lotion, exposing it to sunlight seems to bring on alarming potential. To be safe, avoid products with retinyl palmitate or “retinol” on the label.

The report also highlights the fact that while there are more high SPF (sun protection factor) sunscreens on the market than ever before… beware.

Nearly one in six products you’ll find on store shelves boasts an SPF over 50, as compared to just one in eight in 2009. The higher numbers don’t bring any better protection. It may, in fact, leave you with a misleading sense of security.

The EWG report is intended to bring these issues to the attention of sunbathers everywhere. The group is quick to point out that they do not recommend ditching your sunscreen – rather they’re encouraging consumers not to rely on these products as a single defense against the sun.

Continues below…

What You Must Know About Sunscreens… Continued…

Be sure the product you use offers both UVA and UVB protection, and use enough to fill a shot glass – 30 minutes before going out, and every two hours you’re out in the sun. And while there’s no sunscreen on the market today that meets EWG’s criteria (blocking UV rays, remaining effective for several hours, no harmful ingredients when degrading), the mineral type (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) are preferable to chemical sunscreens. Spray sunscreens are easy to apply but less effective.

If you’re worried about skin cancer, you’ll also want to look for shade, avoid the peak hours of the day and wear protective clothing (a hat too) if possible.

Remember, exposure to the sun is also critical to the body’s production of vitamin D, an entirely natural, beneficial process that sunscreens tend to block. In 2008, the American Medical Association recognized the value of natural sunlight and continues to recommend 10 minutes of exposure, without sunscreen, a few times a week.

In a sublime sense of timing, this fall the FDA is expected to release it’s sun safety tips regarding sunscreen label changes and that one to four star rating system to help consumers identify quality products.

Share This