Yes, you heard that right!  Few subjects on health are as riddled with myths and misconceptions as the question of the sun and its presumed role in contributing to cancer.

Let’s take a look at this intriguing subject more closely……

The sun has been demonised in recent decades as being the source of escalating skin cancers resulting in most people running for cover from the sun in their efforts to avoid this most common of cancers that has seen a rise in incidence of more than 300% since 1992.

However, if we stop to scrutinize the facts for a moment we are left with some surprising twists in the beliefs and perceptions surrounding the sun and its role in skin cancer (and other cancers).

It is worth reminding ourselves that without the sun – the only true source of energy for our planet throughout all of history - life as we know it, would simply not exist! We also need to remain cognizant of the fact that until recent decades, skin cancer was a rare disease. How then do we explain that the sun, provider of life for millennia, has suddenly become so harmful in recent times causing unprecedented loss of life through various forms of skin cancer?

Let me point out that the answer to this all important question is NOT the common misconception of a thinning ozone layer permitting excess UV light penetration. This point is demonstrated best by the vast difference in UV radiation experienced by individuals living in different geographical locations. Those living at high altitudes are exposed to considerably more UV radiation than their counterparts at low altitudes. The same can be said for those living at the equator whom are naturally exposed to substantially more UV light than those living in polar regions. And yet in both instances it is those populations exposed to the most UV radiation (ie at the equator and high altitudes) that paradoxically enjoy a much lower incidence of skin cancers, and in fact all cancers!

Could there be more to the sun and its role with respect to skin cancers than that which we’ve been sold by the media and those industries with vested interests in propagating the pervasive fear of the sun as we know it today?

It is interesting to know that the practice of heliotherapy (controlled sunlight therapy) was successfully embraced in Europe in the late 19^th to mid 20^th century for healing diseases that ranged from tuberculosis, to small pox, lupus and rickets. This would however be replaced in the 1930’s following the discovery of Penicillin and the advent of the pharmaceutical age.

However the benefits of sunshine remain unchanged in modern times when exposure to sun is regular and enjoyed safely. Some of the benefits to be enjoyed through sunshine are the following:

• 
  
• - Stimulation of our immune system
• - Production of mood enhancing hormones such as solitrol and serotonin (the reason for the syndrome, SAD (Seasonal affected depression) experienced in countries with low sunlight levels)
• - Germicidal wavelength controls germs, moulds, mites etc
• - Enhances haemoglobin-oxygen binding crucial for oxygen transport and delivery around the body
• - Reduces raised blood pressure, reduces cholesterol & reduces high blood glucose
• - Responsible for Vit D3 synthesis that is in turn crucial in promoting the following:
• - Building of strong bones and teeth (Ca + P uptake)
• - Prevention of cardiovascular disease – hypertension, heart disease, stroke
• - Prevention of auto-immune diseases – eg IBD, MS etc
• - Regulation of >3000 genes – promoting DNA repair so crucial in avoiding a myriad of diseases
• - Protection against a range of chronic diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis, eczema, insomnia, depression, migraines
• 
  

These benefits are significant and not to be overlooked, particularly when we consider how many of the above conditions are pervasive in modern times.

But how about the sun’s effect on cancer, a disease that is rapidly growing to epidemic proportions when we consider that the modern-day risk of being diagnosed with cancer is approaching 1 in 2?

Well incredibly the sun protects us against 16x different types of cancer! Some of these most common cancers reduced in incidence by sun exposure include breast, colon, endometrial, oesophageal, ovarian, bladder, gallbladder, gastric, pancreatic, prostate, rectal, and renal cancers, as well as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

How does the sun do this? The protective effect of Vit D works in several ways:

• 1. It promotes destruction of mutated cells
• 2. Causes cells to become differentiated (cancer cells frequently lack differentiation)
• 3. Reduces spreading and replication of cancer cells
• 4. Reduces formation of new blood vessels (which would otherwise encourage the transition of benign tumours into malignant ones)
• 
  

Sadly however, 85% of people are Vit D deficient in modern times due to the pervasive misinformation about sunlight and its alleged harmful effects. In fact a study conducted by Dr William Grant Ph.D (recognised Vit D expert) concluded that approximately 30% of cancer deaths (approx 2 million worldwide) could be prevented with higher Vit D levels!

In fact to elaborate on breast cancer, the most common of cancers in women, over 60 studies reviewed and published in the ‘American Journal of Public Health’ have demonstrated that when Vit D deficiencies are corrected, the risk of breast cancer is reduced by 50%, while for those women who already have breast cancer, their survival rates are doubled when Vit D deficiencies are addressed.

So I’ll just pop my Vit D in a pill? Not so quick! Synthetic versions of Vit D are non-sulphated and therefore poorly absorbed, and of additional concern is that this quick-fix option has been linked to increased risk of arteriosclerosis and heart attack. A perfect reminder that nothing does it better than nature herself!

However the problem with our approach to sunshine sadly doesn’t end there.

Several studies have shown that most sun creams shield us from the beneficial UVB rays which promote Vit D synthesis so crucial in providing us with the many health benefits as listed above, while over 60% of sunscreens are not protecting us from the harmful UVA rays which are considered the most dangerous in promoting skin damage, ageing and skin cancers.

And now to rub the proverbial salt in the wound, most common sunscreens that people are applying copiously to their skin and to their children’s skin every day through the summer months contain toxic chemicals that can actually cause skin cancer, while also entering the blood stream leading to endocrine disruption!

In summary, the sun has been unfairly used as a scapegoat with respect to cancer and avoiding the sun is certainly not the answer to attaining vibrant health! Provided we follow simple protocols to enjoy it regularly and in safe amounts, it will yield health benefits that significantly outweigh any negatives! 

Enjoy the sun – it is your friend! :) 

PS. Get a free copy of our ebook, ‘Sunshine ~ why you need it to prevent cancer!’

You’ll learn more about:

• - The truth about skin cancer
• - The real guidelines on how to enjoy the sun safely (tip: these may surprise you!),
• - What chemicals to avoid in your sunscreen!
• - What ingredients are safe to protect you from extended sun exposure
• - How do I know if I’m getting enough sun to prevent cancer?

- And more….

To get a copy of ‘Sunshine ~ why you need it to prevent cancer!’ simply email us at happy2help@drjaney.com and we’ll make sure a free copy is on its way to you soon!