Slash Your Risk of Cancer - by Breaking This Cardinal Rule

Slash Your Risk of Cancer - by Breaking This Cardinal Rule
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UV light from the sun and tanning beds is the main vitamin D source for humans, and researchers have identified an astonishing number of health benefits of vitamin D in the past decade. 

But since UV exposure has been suspected of causing skin cancer, many conventional health authorities still warn against it.

A recent review of studies sought to review the health effects of solar radiation, tanning beds and vitamin D. 

The researchers looked at data from different time periods for populations at different latitudes, with the aim at looking at the relative risk for cutaneous malignant melanoma associated with tanning bed use, vitamin D and UV effects. 

They found that increased tanning bed use was NOT associated with melanoma. 

According to the authors:

“Due to the fear of skin cancer, health authorities warn against sun and sunbed exposure.

This policy, as well as the recommended vitamin D doses, may need revision.”

And: 

“… The overall health benefit of an improved vitamin D status may be more important than the possibly increased [cutaneous malignant melanoma] risk resulting from carefully increasing UV exposure.”

In fact, Ivan Oransky, the editor of Reuters Health, has previously noted that the real risk of getting skin cancer from a tanning bed is less than three-tenths of one percent—and even then, this is likely only from those who habitually overexpose themselves.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer

While intermittent overexposure—meaning getting burned—during childhood is associated with increased risk of melanoma, other exposures, such as occupational exposure and regular weekend sun exposure are associated with decreased risk of melanoma (Joseph Eid/AFP/Getty Images)
While intermittent overexposure—meaning getting burned—during childhood is associated with increased risk of melanoma, other exposures, such as occupational exposure and regular weekend sun exposure are associated with decreased risk of melanoma Joseph Eid/AFP/Getty Images