To think we're far too scared of the sun!

[BedHanger]

A leading lecturer in dermatology at Edinburgh university has said that the benefits of sun exposure "may far outweigh the risks" after a new study has shown an hour's exposure significantly reduces blood pressure:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-22433359

This is on top of our growing understanding of the vital role played by vitamin d in health.

AIBU to worry more about whether my DC are getting sufficient sun than about the potential risks? I don't let them burn btw, but I do make sure they have plenty of sun cream-free time whenever possible.

[PoppyAmex]

"I think I read somewhere that people most likely to get skin cancer are those who spend little time In the sun but then get a big dose at once, like the typical 2 weeks somewhere hot, once a year - they are not used to it so more at risk of burning/damage."

You can't build tolerance to sun damage, ever. Please don't rely on this.

[Delatron]

We all need 10-20 mins of unprotected sun exposure to large areas of skin (arms and legs) four times a week between the hours of 10-3 (April-Sept) to make sufficient vitamin D. Agree with Chairman above that slathering factor 50 on children before they go out every day is detrimental to their health. I make sure my two get 20 mins ish then put some organic/non chemical suncream on.

There have been loads of reports, including the one quoted earlier which shows how chemicals in suncream react with with the sun to produce damaging free radicals. For example, oxybezone, found in many creams is a hormone disruptor.. I know I sound a bit 'Daily Mail' but having had breast cancer, I have done a huge amount of research in to this area and feel Vitamin D is massively important in the prevention of cancer, my respected oncologist at Charing Cross has written a paper on it...

So, be sensible, get your daily dose then cover up or go indoors. Let's not be too scared of the sun though, as someone pointed out many people get skin cancer in areas not exposed to the sun. I have read a report that more office workers get skin cancer than people who work outside, Australian lifeguards have low levels of skin cancer...all food for thought..

[Oblomov]

I think we have become over-zealous about the sun.
If you are sensible and reasonable and enjoy the sun, protection - be that staying in shade, hat, covering up, not lying in miday sun , without suncream for hours, etc.
If we are all sensible. Then we should be o.k.
I think we have become over-paranoid becasue of what we have been told in the last few years. And now people are afraid to sit inthe sun for more than a mili-second. I think it's all OTT.

[PoppyAmex]

"I have read a report that more office workers get skin cancer than people who work outside, Australian lifeguards have low levels of skin cancer...all food for thought.."

That's because no one is more sun aware and takes more precautions than Australian lifeguards, trust me.

[infamouspoo]

Out of interest, what are skin cancer rates in the Andes, Himalayas etc where people are outside all day and dont use sun screen?

[WilsonFrickett]

Australian lifeguards have low levels of skin cancer...all food for thought..

Because Australian lifeguards take care of their skin. Skin cancer rates are higher in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK, because we don't. Within that stat is something shocking about Scottish construction workers, but I can't find the link so won't quote directly. But I'd rather be an Australian lifeguard than a Scottish brickie wrt skin cancer.

[Chandon]

Interesting topic.

I find that being outside in the sun, when It is not too hot ( eg spring or autumn, or in te morning or late afternoon) makes me feel very happy and relaxed. I love it, It is just bliss to do gardening or walking in lovely weather.

I don't burn but get very brown, which then worries me as it can't be healthy! I use factor 15-30, but still tan, which makes me thnk I need higher protection ...

It is all a bit puzzling, is being in the sun bad, even with a hat and suncream?

[Delatron]

Yes it may well be that the lifeguards take care of their skin, but they are in the sun all day long...
Studies from the Lancet have shown those working outside have the lowest rate of skin cancer. The incidence of malignant melanoma is twice as high in office workers (again in the Lancet)
An overview of all the published research reported in the International Journal of cancer revealed that multiple studies show people with 'heavy occupational exposure' to the sun have a significantly lower risk of melanoma.

I am not saying go and bake in the sun all day. I believe these studies are interesting though and the relationship between sun exposure and skin cancer is not as simple as we think. We under-estimate the beneficial effect of the sun on our skin and I do think we have gone too far the other way. Just my opinion.

[JackieTheFart]

I have burned after an hour in the weak April sunshine before. I don't disagree that some sun is fine, but I don't actually know anyone that is overzealous and doesn't allow a bit of sunshine a day.

[Delatron]

The sunshine in April isn't weak though. An hour is too much (obviously). I think it is something like 50% of the Uk population are deficient in vitamin D. I guess we just need a little and often and everyone's individual needs vary. Also, we don't get sun every day here and if people are stuck in an office all week then deficiencies do occur.

[valiumredhead]

"I think I read somewhere that people most likely to get skin cancer are those who spend little time In the sun but then get a big dose at once, like the typical 2 weeks somewhere hot, once a year - they are not used to it so more at risk of burning/damage."

No, untrue ime.

[IShallWearMidnight]

stupid question from me - is it exposure to the sun, or the actual burning that's the cause/trigger for skin cancer?

And a moan - I have very pale skin, which goes bright pink after 5 minutes in the sun, but isn't burnt as far as I can tell (I do occasionally get proper sunburn if I've misjudged the time, and it's not the same). I then spend several weeks having the "oh, got caught in the sun?" sarky comments, which is very annoying. Is it possible I am actually burnt, or is that just how my skin is?

[WilsonFrickett]

Your GP is not talking for all children though LaQueen. I do not tan, at all. Neither does DS. Allowing him to 'acquire' a tan would really mean letting him get burnt.

[Fairypants]

My mum died of skin cancer.
In my opinion, people are not careful enough and there is not sufficient protection for kids at lunchtime at school. If kids played out more after school, they would get the exposure needed without the associated risks. IMO

[RooneyMara]

Sorry Fairy, that's awful.

I agree about schools and children getting burned in lunch time play etc. The once a day stuff is all too easily rubbed off, I don't believe in it anyway. I prefer to limit their exposure to the midday sun tbh, not fret too much about lotions.

Delatron that is the study I was on about. I did a fair bit of reading about melanoma a few years ago.

[thestringcheesemassacre]

I cannot believe a GP worth his salt would say not to apply sunscreen.
I'm Australian, I love to tan. But I never lie in the sun without very good protection. My kids play in the sun, with suncream.hats etc on. They get a bit of colour. I'm not looking forward to my later life having to have loads of skin CANCERS removed from childhood sun exposure.

[ExcuseTypos]

When my DDs were growing up they played outside all summer long, without sunscreen.

However, I insisted they wore sunhats and if it was very hot they played in the shade, under the trees.

If we were on the beach, with no shade they always wore sunscreen. We didn't go abroad when they were little as I couldn't see the point. You'd have to constantly stay in the shade.

[magentastardust]

I am in Scotland, last year the health visitors here were recommending Vit D supplements for Scottish children as they aren't getting enough. They also recommended not applying sun lotion immediately and letting children have 10-15 mins sunlight before applying protection ( although not between 11-3pm).

I do always apply sun cream to my dc's when they are out in the Garden , before school etc but DS face does come out all freckles over his nose and cheeks and DD1 who has Olive skin does tan even though she is protected. DD2 is very pale and too is always covered up and stays pale , she would red within a few minutes if left.

[WhitesandsofLuskentyre]

I'm with cheesecheeseplease - you are being totally unreasonable.

DP has had a malignant melanoma removed, probably not caused by years of living in hot climates where they were aware of the dangers, but from early exposure to the sun in the UK, back when we were clueless (Hawaiian Tropic factor 2 anyone?). The surgery he had to have was brutal.

Our DS (4) has two tiny freckles on otherwise unblemished skin and he's already paranoid about them. Wears factor 50 surfer "rash" shirts and won't go out without a hat or sun cream. It's non-negotiable in our house.

Fine, go ahead and fry yourself if that's what you want to do. But don't say you weren't warned.

[Mimishimi]

I live in a country where 2/3 adults will be treated for skin cancer at some point in their lives. My dad, my uncle, my aunties and grandparents have all had bits burnt out of their skin. I feel I have a right to be paranoid but do take a Vitamin D supplement.

[WhitesandsofLuskentyre]

Sorry everyone, I realise my last sentence was very angry.

Do whatever you feel is right for your children.

As someone wise said on another thread, the plural of anecdote is not 'data'.

[SpanishFly]

I am ASTOUNDED that people STILL think you have to get sunburn to cause damage to your skin.

The SECOND your skin changes colour it's telling you it's had too much. But it's only later that you'll even know that it's changed colour, by which time we're too late

[SpanishFly]

vegan When I was a child in the 70s we all played out - i honestly don't ever remember having sun cream on. I wore the usual shorts and tshirt that everyone wore and had tanned arms and legs but don't remember ever burning.

And that's why there's so many new cases of malignant melanoma every year among 30/40yr olds. Because no-one wore suncream. That and the fact it was the start of the package holiday culture. We'd be out all day with factor 4. And a lot of us are paying the price now.

We didn't know the dangers then but we do now, yet people are still blind to the horrors that can be caused

[LaLaGabby]

Never mind. I agree to differ with virtually everybody.
I dont really care. It is really just a debate about words.