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Cancer
Skin Cancer: Debunking The Myths
Date: 19/09/07
At this time of year, we keep hearing the same message dont go out without sunscreen, cover yourself up, or you risk getting skin cancer. But, with sunscreen products providing multi-billion pound sales for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, its often hard to know where sound science ends and the marketing hype begins.
Around 100,000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year, 7,000 of which are the most dangerous kind, malignant melanoma (see the box below for details of the three main types of skin cancer). Although we are constantly told that avoiding the suns rays and using sunscreen will reduce our risk of this dreaded disease, the truth is not that simple and indeed the very opposite may in fact be true.
The Three Main Types Of Skin Cancer And How to Spot Them
Basal cell carcinoma this is the most common form of skin cancer, which occurs most frequently in men who spend a lot of time outdoors. It is identifiable by lumps or patches that usually appear on the head or neck. You should seek your doctors advice immediately if you spot any of these signs, caught early it does not pose too much of a risk as it rarely spreads to other parts of the body.
Squamous cell carcinoma usually affects fair-skinned people with red or blonde hair, who burn easily and find it hard to get a tan. It can cause an itchy, red, scaly patch of skin or a lump or sore. Again early diagnosis is vital, especially in this case, as squamous cell carcinoma can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated.
Malignant melanoma the rarest but also the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It often grows from an existing mole, so make sure you check yours regularly and see your doctor straight away if you notice any changes such as bleeding, discolouration, enlargement or itchiness. It spreads rapidly to other organs and can be fatal if not treated early. Surprisingly it often occurs on parts of the body not exposed to the sun and is most common in people who work indoors.
The sun produces your bodys own defence against skin cancer vitamin D
According to researchers at the Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, lifetime sun exposure may be associated with an increased risk of the non-melanoma kinds of skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (J Invest Dermatol 2003; 120: 1087-1093). However, this is at odds with earlier research, which found no such link (Cancer Causes and Controls 1994; 5: 367-392).
In addition, the Leiden University study found that while lifetime sun exposure is linked to an increased risk of non-melanoma kinds of skin cancer it is also linked to a reduced risk of malignant melanoma. Dr Marianne Berwick at the University of New Mexico, has shown that spending frequent short periods of time in the sun is linked to a reduced risk of death from this form of the disease (J Nat Cancer Inst 2005; 97: 195-199).
This apparent protective effect of sun exposure may be because sunshine on our skin produces vitamin D. It has long been known that this vitamin suppresses the growth of malignant melanoma cells in the laboratory (Endocrinology 1981; 108: 1083-1086). In addition, malignant melanoma patients are often found to be deficient in the active form of vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) that is generated by sun exposure (Clin Cancer Res 2000; 2: 498-504).
New research questions the safety of many common ingredients found in sunscreens
Even if sun exposure does increase some skin cancer risks, can sunscreen creams really protect us? Some studies have found a link between the regular use of sunscreens and a lower incidence of cell changes, called actinic keratoses, which may precede squamous cell carcinoma (JAMA 1994; 271(21): 1662-1663). However, there is no clear evidence that they protect us against basal cell carcinoma or malignant melanoma. In fact, sunscreens have been linked with an increased risk of these two forms of cancer (Brit J Dermatol 2002; 146: 24).
This could be because sunscreen use encourages longer, more intense bouts of sunbathing, which appear to be more of a skin cancer risk than little and often sun exposure (BMJ 1994; 308: 75-76). Or it may be because sunscreens block the UVB ultraviolet rays that produce vitamin D and so remove a natural anti-cancer mechanism. There is also evidence that it is the UVA rays, which many sunscreens hardly block at all, that can be a major factor in the development of malignant melanoma (New England J Med 1999; 340: 1341-1348).
But most worrying of all is the possibility that the chemicals in sunscreens could themselves be a cause of skin cancer. For example, regular use of sunscreens that contain the chemical psoralen more than doubles the risk of skin cancer on average and increases it four and a half times for people who dont tan easily (Int J Cancer 1995; 61: 749-755).
Another sunscreen chemical, called PBSA, was found to damage DNA in laboratory tests and the sunscreen chemical octyl methoxycinnamate (which is in more than 90 per cent of sunscreens) quickly kills animal cells exposed to light (Chem Res Toxicol 1999; 12(1): 38-45; New Scientist 2000; 7 October: 13).
Follow this advice on how to protect your skin this summer
DONT expose your skin to the sun for extended periods, with or without sunscreen if you have to be outside for a long time, wear a hat and loose clothing.
DONT cover yourself with sunscreen if you must use it to prevent burning, use it sparingly on areas most likely to burn. In addition, check the label for potentially harmful chemicals like psoralen which, as already mentioned, are actually linked to increasing the risk of certain types of skin cancer.
DO aim to get frequent, moderate exposure to the sun (without sunscreen) how much will depend on your skin type, time of year and geographical location this will boost your vitamin D production.
EAT more curry! This may sound like a strange bit of advice but US researchers from the University of Texas in Houston recently found that curcumin the yellow pigment found in the curry spice turmeric suppresses the growth of malignant melanoma cells in the laboratory (Cancer 2005;104(4): 879-890). You can also take curcumin in supplement form take 900 mg a day as a preventive measure.
TAKING certain nutritional supplements may act as preventatives in the development of skin cancer. According to recent research, antioxidants particularly beta-carotene, vitamin E and selenium may prevent and counteract the sun-induced skin damage that can lead to skin cancer (Photoderm, Photoimmunol, Photomed 2004; 20: 297-304). Take 25,000 iu of beta-carotene, 400 iu of vitamin E and 200 mcg of selenium daily.
Lutein is another antioxidant that could prevent the development of skin cancer. A study in which mice had the sensitive skin on their ears exposed to ultraviolet light found that those fed a diet supplemented with lutein experienced less cell damage (J Invest Dermatol 2004; 122: 510-517). The recommended dosage is 4mg of lutein a day.
Back to topAround 100,000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year, 7,000 of which are the most dangerous kind, malignant melanoma (see the box below for details of the three main types of skin cancer). Although we are constantly told that avoiding the suns rays and using sunscreen will reduce our risk of this dreaded disease, the truth is not that simple and indeed the very opposite may in fact be true.
The Three Main Types Of Skin Cancer And How to Spot Them
Basal cell carcinoma this is the most common form of skin cancer, which occurs most frequently in men who spend a lot of time outdoors. It is identifiable by lumps or patches that usually appear on the head or neck. You should seek your doctors advice immediately if you spot any of these signs, caught early it does not pose too much of a risk as it rarely spreads to other parts of the body.
Squamous cell carcinoma usually affects fair-skinned people with red or blonde hair, who burn easily and find it hard to get a tan. It can cause an itchy, red, scaly patch of skin or a lump or sore. Again early diagnosis is vital, especially in this case, as squamous cell carcinoma can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated.
Malignant melanoma the rarest but also the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It often grows from an existing mole, so make sure you check yours regularly and see your doctor straight away if you notice any changes such as bleeding, discolouration, enlargement or itchiness. It spreads rapidly to other organs and can be fatal if not treated early. Surprisingly it often occurs on parts of the body not exposed to the sun and is most common in people who work indoors.
The sun produces your bodys own defence against skin cancer vitamin D
According to researchers at the Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, lifetime sun exposure may be associated with an increased risk of the non-melanoma kinds of skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (J Invest Dermatol 2003; 120: 1087-1093). However, this is at odds with earlier research, which found no such link (Cancer Causes and Controls 1994; 5: 367-392).
In addition, the Leiden University study found that while lifetime sun exposure is linked to an increased risk of non-melanoma kinds of skin cancer it is also linked to a reduced risk of malignant melanoma. Dr Marianne Berwick at the University of New Mexico, has shown that spending frequent short periods of time in the sun is linked to a reduced risk of death from this form of the disease (J Nat Cancer Inst 2005; 97: 195-199).
This apparent protective effect of sun exposure may be because sunshine on our skin produces vitamin D. It has long been known that this vitamin suppresses the growth of malignant melanoma cells in the laboratory (Endocrinology 1981; 108: 1083-1086). In addition, malignant melanoma patients are often found to be deficient in the active form of vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) that is generated by sun exposure (Clin Cancer Res 2000; 2: 498-504).
New research questions the safety of many common ingredients found in sunscreens
Even if sun exposure does increase some skin cancer risks, can sunscreen creams really protect us? Some studies have found a link between the regular use of sunscreens and a lower incidence of cell changes, called actinic keratoses, which may precede squamous cell carcinoma (JAMA 1994; 271(21): 1662-1663). However, there is no clear evidence that they protect us against basal cell carcinoma or malignant melanoma. In fact, sunscreens have been linked with an increased risk of these two forms of cancer (Brit J Dermatol 2002; 146: 24).
This could be because sunscreen use encourages longer, more intense bouts of sunbathing, which appear to be more of a skin cancer risk than little and often sun exposure (BMJ 1994; 308: 75-76). Or it may be because sunscreens block the UVB ultraviolet rays that produce vitamin D and so remove a natural anti-cancer mechanism. There is also evidence that it is the UVA rays, which many sunscreens hardly block at all, that can be a major factor in the development of malignant melanoma (New England J Med 1999; 340: 1341-1348).
But most worrying of all is the possibility that the chemicals in sunscreens could themselves be a cause of skin cancer. For example, regular use of sunscreens that contain the chemical psoralen more than doubles the risk of skin cancer on average and increases it four and a half times for people who dont tan easily (Int J Cancer 1995; 61: 749-755).
Another sunscreen chemical, called PBSA, was found to damage DNA in laboratory tests and the sunscreen chemical octyl methoxycinnamate (which is in more than 90 per cent of sunscreens) quickly kills animal cells exposed to light (Chem Res Toxicol 1999; 12(1): 38-45; New Scientist 2000; 7 October: 13).
Follow this advice on how to protect your skin this summer
DONT expose your skin to the sun for extended periods, with or without sunscreen if you have to be outside for a long time, wear a hat and loose clothing.
DONT cover yourself with sunscreen if you must use it to prevent burning, use it sparingly on areas most likely to burn. In addition, check the label for potentially harmful chemicals like psoralen which, as already mentioned, are actually linked to increasing the risk of certain types of skin cancer.
DO aim to get frequent, moderate exposure to the sun (without sunscreen) how much will depend on your skin type, time of year and geographical location this will boost your vitamin D production.
EAT more curry! This may sound like a strange bit of advice but US researchers from the University of Texas in Houston recently found that curcumin the yellow pigment found in the curry spice turmeric suppresses the growth of malignant melanoma cells in the laboratory (Cancer 2005;104(4): 879-890). You can also take curcumin in supplement form take 900 mg a day as a preventive measure.
TAKING certain nutritional supplements may act as preventatives in the development of skin cancer. According to recent research, antioxidants particularly beta-carotene, vitamin E and selenium may prevent and counteract the sun-induced skin damage that can lead to skin cancer (Photoderm, Photoimmunol, Photomed 2004; 20: 297-304). Take 25,000 iu of beta-carotene, 400 iu of vitamin E and 200 mcg of selenium daily.
Lutein is another antioxidant that could prevent the development of skin cancer. A study in which mice had the sensitive skin on their ears exposed to ultraviolet light found that those fed a diet supplemented with lutein experienced less cell damage (J Invest Dermatol 2004; 122: 510-517). The recommended dosage is 4mg of lutein a day.
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