Sunscreen causing cancer?

Well, I know enough at this point that the simple rule for lotions, sunscreens, etc. is that "if you can't eat it, then don't put it on your skin!" I think I read this a few years back in Kevin Trudeau's book, and it made a lot of sense even back then. Even with a history of melanoma, logic tells me that you can't constantly apply chemicals to your skin on a daily basis without some repercussions. Your skin is an organ too, the largest one on your body, and whatever you put on your skin is practically like eating it. If it contains chemicals, then they are all getting right into your bloodstream too.

At the summer camp that our kids are attending, the kids are plastered with sunscreen before going out to play and swim in a kiddie pool. Today, the camp teacher showed me a brand that they were using for outdoor play, and asked me if I wanted to take it home to try it. It is funny because my kids are fine with wearing the UV wear outside to play and swim, but I guess other people don't understand why I can't just plaster some sunscreen on my kids like everyone else. The reason is that I KNOW what is in those sunscreens (most aren't gluten-free anyway, so it is a moot point for us). We use good caution and wear big hats, use the UV wear, short exposures late/early day only. What people don't seem to realize is that by wearing sunscreen all the time, they not only increase their chemical load, but also block vitamin D absorption - a key cancer fighting vitamin. Most people are severely vitamin D deficient, and this leads to more cold/flu as well as increased risk of various cancers.

Another important thing to know about sunscreens is that they have never been proven to prevent skin cancer! Even the FDA will tell you to not use sunscreen as your first line of defense. Here is more information about sunscreen: http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/9-surprising-facts-about-sunscreen/. Now isn't that interesting? Here is the database where you can look up your sunscreen and see how toxic it is: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/.

One interesting theory I have is what if the sun isn't what is causing most of the skin cancers but instead the toxic lotions, sunscreens, body washes, and cosmetics? Now THERE is some irony for you, as well as some interesting food for thought! There is also more research linking heavy sunscreen use to melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. But how can that be?

Here is the most recent information on how vitamin A (retinyl palmitate), an additive in most sunscreens, can increase your risk of skin cancer and tumors by over 20%: http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/full-report/new-fda-study-sunscreen-additive-may-speed-cancer-growth/

I guess if being out in the hottest sun for an extended period of time is unavoidable every once in awhile, then at least choose one from the database that is a 0-1 ranking. I think Badger ranked pretty well overall, and only had a few ingredients. But, I wouldn't wear anything on my skin daily unless you could eat it with no trip to the ER. :-)