The Surprising Truth About Sun Exposure, Sunburn And Skin Cancer

4. Further, suffering sunburn can elevate the risk of melanoma. And melanoma risk is correlated with the frequency and severity of sunburns. However, there is virtually no evidence to suggest that long-term exposure to sunlight without suffering sunburn would raise one’s risk of contracting melanoma. [1]

5. In fact, there is significant research to suggest that the contrary is actually true – that exposure to sunlight without sunburn in fact lowers melanoma risk. [1]

6. For example, research which looked at active duty US sailors who came down with melanoma from 1974 to 1984 found that those who worked indoors, away from sunlight exposure, had higher rates of the disease than those who worked outdoors. Those who worked both indoors and outdoors actually had the lowest rate of melanoma. [2]

7. Melanomas among the sailors actually occurred more often on areas of the body which were sheltered away from sunlight exposure, such as the trunk, upper back and legs, as supposed to the face and hands (where non-melanoma skin cancers more frequently occur). [1][2]

8. Points 6 and 7 suggest that while sunburn can elevate melanoma risk, regular and moderate exposure to sunlight actually offers protective benefits against the condition, and too little sunshine can actually increase one’s risk of contracting melanoma.

9. Indeed, in-vitro studies conducted at Saarland University Hospital in Germany revealed that vitamin D, an important by-product of sunlight exposure, lowered the spread of melanoma cells by up to 50%. Other studies have affirmed this finding. [2][3] Vitamin D also seemed to help prevent small melanomas from progressing into clinical cases of cancer. [2]

10. Further, in 2004 and 2005, a couple of large studies conducted in Europe found that sunlight and UV radiation, without the occurrence of sunburn, were “not causative factors in melanoma, and in fact offered some degree of protection against it.” [1]

Sunscreen lotions

How about sunscreen lotions? Doctors Frank and Cedric Garland in 1992 wrote that “worldwide, the countries where chemical sunscreens have been recommended and adopted have experienced the greatest rise in malignant melanoma.” [1]

Why would chemical sunscreens be associated with increased melanoma risk? Firstly, it is important to note that sunscreens actually prevent the body from producing vitamin D.

Secondly, some of the compounds found in chemical sunscreens could actually be carcinogenic (ie cancer-causing) substances. For example, octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC), used to block UVB light and found in 90% of suncreens, and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, used to block UVA light, have been found to have toxic properties. [1]

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