A Look At Skin Cancer

Summer is here again and as a lover of warm weather and sunny days I get so anxious to be out in the power of the sun's energy. Also, if you know me, I am fair skinned, an esthetician, and the daughter of a Dad who had skin cancer. Yes, both of my parents had cancer, a topic for another time......
First we heard, lather on the 50 SPF sunscreen, every 2 hours, on a cloudy day, when you're indoors. Overkill? Perhaps.
Now, we are hearing about all the great cancer fighting agents of Vitamin D, which comes from the sun. I have heard dermatologists say, it's ok to go out for 15-20 minutes on a sunny day, without sunscreen as long as the unprotected areas are your arms and legs. I have also heard contradicting evidence that you really should just get Vitamin D from your food, and supplements. On top of all that a new study recently came out about the most common place for melanoma. Guess where it is? On your legs. Not to mention the highest rates of melanoma are in Colorado, where I live. So many people enjoying over 300 days of sunshine at a high altitude. Are we all just spinning in contradicting information? How do we know what is best for us?

In a new study by the researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine indicates that taking Vitamin D could actually help prevent melanoma. Although there is a long way to go to prove this information, it is a little ironic. "The Institute of Medicine recommends that most adults get 1,000 to 1,200 mg of calcium per day and 600 to 800 IU of vitamin D. It sets a recommended upper limit at 2,000 mg of calcium and 4,000 IU of vitamin D"

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/06/28/can-vitamin-d-lower-your-risk-melanoma/#ixzz1Rw9tQ2Um

I always try to give you the information and let you decide between you and your doctor what is the right course of action for you.
Today, from all the research I have heard I think it's still vital to wear sunscreen, eat the right foods, and just do the best you can. Let's face it, we have all been outside and didn't re-apply the sunscreen after being in the water, or waited longer than the 2 hours so we're likely getting the Vitamin D. Especially if you are lucky enough to have as much sunshine as me in Denver.