Look around any pharmacy in the spring and summer and you'll find people lingering in front of the sunscreen display, confused by the variety of brands to choose from.
But is there a hidden health risk - especially for cancer patients - in the sunscreen aisle?

I'm glad you are reading this issue of your free email newsletter from The Moss Reports. It contains some information you don't want to be without this summer. Please feel free to share this newsletter with those you care about.

My name is Yanna Lambrinidou. After losing several close family members to cancer years ago, I have devoted myself to working as an educator in the cancer field. As the new Managing Editor of Dr. Moss's email newsletter, I will be bringing you at least one new issue every month with cancer news I hope you find valuable.

Summer is fast approaching, so let's talk about sunscreens. Have you ever wondered if they are safe?

Beware of the Possible Health Hazards of Certain Sunscreens

Recently, a group of Swiss scientists reported that in the lab five chemical additives common in sunscreens act like the hormone estrogen by increasing the growth of breast cancer cells. These chemicals are benzophenone-3 (Bp-3), homosalate (HMS), 4-methyl-benzylidene (4-MBC), octyl-methoxycinnamate (OMC), and octyl-dimethyl-PABA (OD-PABA). In experiments with rats three of these chemicals also disrupted normal reproductive growth.

The scientists expressed concern about the possible dangers of these chemicals to humans and recommended further testing of sunscreens. But they didn't condemn sunscreen altogether. In light of the fact that sunscreen remains our best protection against UV rays, they suggested that we use UV-blockers that are free of the suspicious chemicals. (The full report on this study is found in Environmental Health Perspectives 2001 109(3):239-244).

Where can you find natural sunscreens? Click on this link for some great suggestions!

http://www.rodaleorganicstyle.com/archives/beauty4.html

One way to avoid sun exposure is to cover up. Several companies offer a special line of clothing designed to be lightweight and sun-protective. You can check them out by clicking on the links below (Sunclothingetc even sells patches and wristbands that show you when you've had your maximum UV exposure for the day).

http://www.solumbra.com/

http://www.sunclothingetc.com/store.asp

http://www.sungrubbies.com/

Are you aware that Dr. Moss has written a special report on almost every known kind of skin cancer (as well as over two hundred other cancer diagnoses)? You can call The Moss Reports toll-free at 1-800-980-1234 to find out if Dr. Moss has written a report about the type of cancer you're concerned with. You can also click here to learn more:

www.cancerdecisions.com

Did You Know That...

There are three main types of skin cancer?

1.  Basal cell carcinoma:  This is by far the most common type of skin cancer. It's a slow-growing cancer that involves "basal cells," the small, round cells in the outer layer of the skin. Basal cell carcinoma usually develops in areas that have undergone frequent sun exposure. The one good thing about basal cell carcinoma is that it rarely spreads to other organs and that, in most cases, it's curable.
   
   
2.  Squamous cell carcinoma:  This is the second most common type of skin cancer and it also tends to be curable. It involves "squamous cells," which are flat and have the appearance of fish-scales. Like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma usually appears in areas of the outer skin that have been damaged by the sun, burns, or chronic ulcers. It rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but it does so more frequently than basal cell carcinoma.
   
   
3.  Melanoma:  : This is the rarest form of skin cancer and it can be life-threatening. But it is curable when detected early. Melanoma involves a group of skin cells called "melanocytes," which produce the protective pigment that gives us skin color and a suntan. Melanocytes also form moles. Melanoma can develop in any area of the skin and can spread to other organs. It's a fast-growing form of skin cancer. According to a recent study, in the last two decades the number of melanoma diagnoses has almost tripled among men and more than doubled among women (Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2001 93(9):678-683). Medical authorities suspect that melanoma is linked to UV ray exposure.

   Are You Familiar with the Common Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer?
   Look for...

   A skin growth that seems to be changing in size, color, and shape
   
   An area on the skin that hurts, itches, bleeds, or ulcerates
   
   A new sore that doesn't heal
   
   A mole with differing shades of colors and irregular edges

    

   The Sun's Role in Skin Cancer

   More than 90% of all skin cancers develop on areas of the skin that receive regular exposure to the sun. Remember that sun exposure adds up over time! It is believed that 80% of the UV radiation we accumulate in a lifetime we absorb before the age of 18. Does that mean we can skimp on sun protection after our 18th birthday? Of course not!

   A Note on Ultraviolet Radiation

   We often hear about the dangers of "UV rays," and we even take measures to protect ourselves against them. In case you've wondered what UV rays actually are, here's a brief description that may help:

   Ultraviolet rays are an invisible form of light. They are called "ultraviolet" because they are situated beyond the violet end of the visible electromagnetic spectrum. The primary source of UV rays is the sun, but lightening and special lamps emit them as well. Two types of ultraviolet rays reach the earth's surface: UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays penetrate deeply into the skin and have long been associated with permanent DNA-damage and premature aging. They are also thought to weaken the skin's protective mechanism and increase the harmful effects of UVB rays. UVB rays don't penetrate the skin as deeply, but they cause tanning, sunburns, and skin cancer. The intensity of UVA and UVB radiation is increased by heat, wind, high altitudes, and reflections from water, sand, and snow.

   What Can You Do to Reduce Your Risk of Skin Cancer?

     Beware of the sun, even in the winter Limit direct exposure to the sun between 10 am and 4 pm, when the sun's rays are the most intense.
     Pay attention to the UV Index If you know you'll be outdoors, find out the UV Index. The UV Index will tell you how much UV radiation will reach your area on a given day (this depends on factors such as the season and the weather). A value between 0-2 indicates minimal radiation, but a value over 10 indicates dangerously high levels of radiation. The UV Index can be found in newspapers, TV, radio, and the internet (e.g., http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov, http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/iwin/us/ultraviolet.html). When the UV Index is high, stay in the shade and wear light-colored, tightly woven clothing that covers your skin.
     Wear a broad-brimmed hat
     Wear sunglasses that provide 100% protection against UVA and UVB rays
     Use sunscreen all year long Cover yourself with a "broad-spectrum" sunscreen that will absorb both UVA and UVB rays. Reapply frequently, especially if you're swimming or perspiring. Make sure to select a sunscreen with an SFP (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 15. Keep in mind, however, that sunscreen limits, but doesn't fully block UV rays from penetrating your skin. For fuller protection use sunblock, which prevents UV rays from reaching your skin by deflecting them.
     Take increased doses of beta-carotene in addition to a multivitamin and mineral supplement According to some studies, increased doses of beta-carotene (e.g., 25-30 mg) slows down the skin's absorption of UV radiation.
     Avoid tanning lamps
     Check your skin regularly for skin abnormalities and early signs of skin cancer

    

   For More Information...

   Here are some organizations that can give you additional information on skin cancer:
   
   

     The National Cancer Institute (1-800-4-CANCER or http://cancernet.nci.nih.gov/location.html#skin)
     The Skin Cancer Foundation (1-800-SKIN-490 or www.skincancer.org)
     The American Academy of Dermatology (1-847-330-0230 or www.aad.org)
     The American Cancer Society, Skin Cancer Prevention Information (1-800-ACS-2345. www2.cancer.org/skinguide)
   
   

   Whether you have been diagnosed with cancer or want to learn more about cancer for someone else, we're here to help. Dr. Ralph Moss, Ph.D., a leading world authority in cancer treatment, has worked for over 25 years to bring cancer patients reliable information about their treatment options-conventional, complementary, and alternative. If you feel the need for a comprehensive overview of the many therapies that are used to treat a specific type of cancer, don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

   For more information about The Moss Reports service and our comprehensive reports on cancer treatment alternatives, please visit our website at www.cancerdecisions.com, or call The Moss Reports coordinator, Diane Galbo, at 1-800-980-1234 (718 636-4433, if you're calling from abroad).

   To your health!
   
   Yanna Lambrinidou
   Managing Editor
   CancerDecisions.com

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