AFTER ALL, it’s supposed to prevent skin cancer. At least that’s what dermatologists and the skincare industry tell us.

But what if you learned that sunscreen actually increases your risk of cancer, including skin cancer? What if you found out that it can cause allergies, hormonal problems and cellular damage? Would you still use it? Would you cover your kids from head to toe?

Sunscreen is a huge moneymaker for the personal care industry. Fear of the sun also generates big money for dermatologists.

But there is strong evidence that their recommendation to avoid the sun is not only unnecessary, it could be dangerous. And their recommendation to cover your body in sunscreen could actually increase your risk of skin cancer.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. And melanoma is the most feared and deadly form of it. We have been told that the sun is to blame for this deadly disease, but the scientific evidence tells a different story. In fact, the science proves that a healthy tan could be your best protection.

Skin cancer skyrockets as sunscreen use increases

The first tanning lotions were introduced around 1930. The goal was to allow you to stay in the sun longer without burning. A few years later, the melanoma rate began to rise. By the 1960s, there were dozens of tanning lotions on the market. Melanoma rates continued to rise.

As the rates of skin cancer increased, it became news. And, the makers of tanning lotions saw an opportunity. They repositioned their products as “sunscreen”. After that, the sales of sunscreen continued to climb, along with the rates of melanoma. In fact, the per capita melanoma rate has increased 1,800 per cent since the first commercial sunscreens were introduced.

In a moment, you’ll see why sunscreen is a contributing cause. But first, let’s examine the evidence that sun exposure is actually your best defence against this deadly disease.

Evidence that the sun protects you from melanoma

Studies show that those who spend the most time outdoors have the lowest risk of melanoma. This includes a review of more than 50 research papers. It revealed that people who work outside have the lowest incidence of the disease. For example, lifeguards, construction workers and farmers have much lower rates than office workers.

Another study reviewed all the published research in the International Journal of Cancer. It also showed that people with “heavy occupational exposure” have significantly lower risk.

A similar study was performed by researchers at the University of Sydney’s Melanoma Clinic. Their results showed that office workers develop melanoma at twice the rate of lifeguards. Those who had the lowest incidence were sunbathers.

Population studies also show an inverse relationship between sun exposure and melanoma. For example, rates of the disease are higher in Minnesota than Arizona. They are also higher in Norway than the South of France.

Then there is the inconvenient truth that melanoma lesions frequently occur on parts of the body least exposed to sunlight. This includes the soles of the feet, under the nails, on the genitals, and inside the nose and mouth.

The evidence clearly shows that those who spend more time in the sun (without burning) have less risk of melanoma. That is quite the opposite of what the anti-sun proponents would have you believe.

But what about sunscreen? Does it provide protection against the disease, as most dermatologists and skincare manufacturers claim?

Those are the questions that Dr Marianne Berwick of the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center asked. She reviewed 10 of the best studies on sunscreens and the incidence of cancer. Her results were reported at an annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. According to Dr Berwick, “There is no evidence that use of sunscreen at any age offers any real protection against malignant melanoma.”

Could sunscreen actually cause skin cancer? Look out for part two next week.

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