Sun? Cancer? What?

Whether you live here or are visiting, I am sure there is no question why this area is referred to as “the Valley of the Sun”. Incredible as it may seem, the sun’s role as it pertains to our health has come under question over the past few years. Clearly, it would behoove us to understand the effect of the sun on our health.

Most people believe that exposure to sunlight increases their risk of cancer. This is simply not true! In fact, insufficient sun exposure is an important risk factor in the development of so many cancers in both Western Europe and North America according to a study published March 2002 in the journal, Cancer. In the march, 2002 study referred to above, 506 regions were evaluated and it was found that there was an inverse relationship between cancer deaths and sun exposure. That is, the less sun exposure the greater chances of dying from cancer. The mortality (or death) rates from most of the cancers studied were found to be approximately two times higher in New England as those in the southwest, despite similar dietary habits. Thirteen different types of cancer demonstrated this inverse relationship; the strongest correlation was found with breast, ovarian and colon cancers. That means people who develop breast, ovarian or colon cancer in New England, are twice as likely to die from them as those living in southern Arizona. And although not quite as high, increased death rates related to insufficient sun exposure were also found in people with cancer of the bladder, uterus, esophagus, rectum, and stomach. Dr William Grant, the author of the study indicated that in the northern United States it becomes so dark in the winter that vitamin D synthesis in people could cease completely. Vitamin D is normally synthesized in our bodies from cholesterol as a result of the sun acting upon our skin. It is therefore, not truly a vitamin although it can be obtained in food sources.

Today, it is well known that the active form of vitamin D regulates cell growth and defferentation. When it is deficient, cellular growth can become abnormal and cancerous. In fact, Vitamin D and its’ analogs are now being used therapeutically for cettain cancers by conventional medicine. Laboratory, animals, and epidemiologic evidence suggest that vitamin D may be protective against some cancers. Clinical studies now show vitamin D deficiency to be associated with four of the most common cancers: Breast- Prostate- Colon- Skin.

What about skin cancer? Although increased sun exposure is related to the development of skin cancer, skin cancers are more likely to be related to the unfourtunate reversal of the omega-6 to omega-3 fat ratio found in modern diets. “Epidemiological, experimental, and mechanistic data implicates omega-6 fat as stimulators in a long-chain omega-3 fats as inhabitors of development and progression of a range of human cancers, including melanoma.” Cancer Res 2000 Aug 1;60(15):4139-45: That is, omega-6 fats stimulate cancer whereas ometa-3 fats inhibit cancer. However, since omega-6 fats are essential to life, what is important is to return to a healthy ratio. The ratio of health is 1:1 or 2:1 (omega-3:omega-6).

There are many healthy sources of omega-3 and omega-6 oils that are non-animal oregin. Some excellent sources are hemp seed oil, flax seed oil, chia in the form of Salba, avacados, soaked nuts, durian (a fruit), and others. This exceedingly important topic is beyond the scope of this article but should be understood throughly.

Since many sunscreen products are toxic and should be avoided by most people, the solution is to avoid getting burned by gradually increasing the length of time spent in the sun. It is sunburn in conjunction with excess of omega-6 fats that will increase your risk of skin cancer. Although there are many toxic agents found in most sunscreens, two will briefly be mentioned. Octyl methoxycinnamate (OCM) found in approximately 90 percent of sunscreen brands has been found to be cytotoxic (kills cells) by Norwegian researchers. And another, titanium dioxide has been labeled by the U.S. government’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as “a potential occupation carcinogen.” Fortunately, there are several nontoxic brands available and should be used whenever sunscreen is necessary. According to researchers our of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, sunscreen can prevent both basal and squamonus cell carcinomas but does not protect against melanoma. there is evidfence that it is the chlorine in showers and pools in combination with excessive sunshine that contributes to the increase rate of melanoma.

Clearly then, it is a grossly simplistic and counterintuitive idea that the primary source of energy for this solar system and the most brilliant of celestial bodies radiates harmful electromagnetic energy and must be avoided.