Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Can Sunscreen cause Cancer?

This is crazy, I just read an article that said certain sunscreens can cause cancer. To think, we have all been programmed over and over that sunscreens are a MUST to prevent cancer, and now, THIS?
The story originated from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit organization that “protect(s) the most vulnerable… from health problems attributed to a wide array of toxic contaminants.”
EWG announced their list of best and worst sunscreens, and also published a statement that claims creams which contain a vitamin A derivative (retinyl palmitate), increase the risk of skin cancer in laboratory mice. However, the creams studied were not sunscreens, but rather simple cream with retinyl palmitate. Because many sunscreens contain retinyl palmitate, the EWG is urging the FDA to study this further and is also urging people to avoid sunscreens with vitamin A derivatives in the meantime. Some sunscreens contain retinyl or retinols as a “wrinkle-fighting” ingredient in the sunscreen. But the Skin Cancer foundation says: "Consumers should rest assured that sunscreen products are safe and effective when used as directed."
So what to do now? Here are some clues:
  • Ultraviolet light from the sun is radiation and is unquestionably the most important cause of skin cancer.
  • Sunscreens in general do not cause skin cancer.
  • No study has yet looked at retinyl palmitate when used in a sunscreen.
  • It is reasonable to avoid sunscreens that contain retinyl or other vitamin A derivatives until more studies are done, if you’re concerned.
  • Choose a sunscreen with SPF15 or higher. Look for zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, avobenzone, ecamsule (Mexoryl) or octocrylene.
  • Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours.

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