Instead, I plan to cover up as much as I can.
Does anybody know of hot weather clothing to cover legs for bike riding?
"Professor Marais insisted people should continue to wear sunscreen, because while it does not provide complete protection, it can slow the cancer-causing effect of UV.
But he said nobody should rely on sunscreen alone to protect them from skin cancer.
He said: ‘This work highlights the importance of combining sunscreen with other strategies to protect our skin, including wearing hats and loose fitting clothing, and seeking shade when the sun is at its strongest.’"
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From the actual study:
“Our study validates public health campaigns that promote sunscreen protection for individuals at risk of melanoma.”
The media reviews of the study are taking the phrase: “does not offer complete protection” and spinning it into a shocking headline: “sunscreens does not prevent skin cancer!”.
It does prevent the risk skin cancer, by a lot. It simply does not 100% prevent the risk of it.
If you insist on preventing your body from creating vitamin D (by blocking its sun exposure), you should also get your vitamin D levels checked (it’s a simple blood test).
The amount you get from food (even if you reach USRDA, 400 IU), is maybe 15-20% of what you need on a daily basis. The rest you need to get from the sun, or a supplement of 2000-3000 IU.
Also, consider that the health problems and cancer deaths caused by vitamin D deficiencies are thought to be far greater than the incidences of skin cancer. Especially considering that of all skin cancers, extremely few are fatal.
For those not from the UK, a little perspective; the Daily Mail is a "news"paper only by the loosest of definitions. This is in part why their wiki article is semi-protected.
The general basis for their copy is to cover asylum seekers, paedophiles and cancer. Fear sells papers. On the topic of cancer, they have a particular fascination. Here’s a little list:
I’ve don;t hear much about heard of a melanomas on legs. It seems to impact places that are covered the least, such as you face, nose, forhead… proving to me that for 1 it’s about NET exposure over your lifetime. Cancer is about statistics. It’s the statistical opportunity for a damaged “cancerous” cell to multiply in the right conditions. The number of damaged cells is increased with risk factors including genetic predisposition.
Applying some form of lotion with a UV blocker year round, isn’t a bad idea. I ALWAYS run with a hat or visor now to reduce exposure.
For the OP, sure, you could just wear some thin compression tights, but they will be very warm. Arm coolers with a sleeved cycling jersey will cover your arms.
Reminds me of an SAT reading comprehension question.
Which of the following is not a conclusion of the author of the primary research article?
a) remember that sunscreen does not provide complete protection against skin cancer
b) take all reasonable precautions to prevent UV-induced skin cancer, including the use of sunscreen and limiting sun exposure with protective clothing
c) avoid sunscreen whenever possible
Pretty sure the answer is c.
Be aware that melanoma is one of the most dangerous types of cancer, and like many, if not most, types of cancer, it is largely preventable. Tobacco products, obesity, a small number of pathogens (e.g., HPVs, H. pylori, hepatitis viruses), UV exposure. Simple avoidance of these things will impact the worldwide cancer burden far more than the next several hundred million dollars spent by the National Cancer Institute.
If you insist on preventing your body from creating vitamin D (by blocking its sun exposure), you should also get your vitamin D levels checked (it’s a simple blood test).
The amount you get from food (even if you reach USRDA, 400 IU), is maybe 15-20% of what you need on a daily basis. The rest you need to get from the sun, or a supplement of 2000-3000 IU.
Also, consider that the health problems and cancer deaths caused by vitamin D deficiencies are thought to be far greater than the incidences of skin cancer. Especially considering that of all skin cancers, extremely few are fatal.
This is true but you only need to be exposed to the sun for a very short time in order to fulfill your daily vitamin D needs, so this is really not a major concern (plus I don’t think people would completely cover up their bodies, just the parts that burn the fastest, neck, arms back nose etc) Although I’d be interested to find out how you go about covering up your nose. A summer ski mask?
don;t hear much about heard of a melanomas on legs. It seems to impact places that are covered the least, such as you face, nose, forhead… proving to me that for 1 it’s about NET exposure over your lifetime.
In my personal experience and dealings with my skin cancer specialist, it’s not the areas that are exposed the most that get affected by melanoma. Every inch of your skin is an equal opportunity location to have a melanoma, regardless of exposure. I think you’ll find many people who end up with malignant melanoma are those who didn’t know they had it at all, because it wasn’t readily visible…between the toes, bottom of feet, inside mouth even in between the butt cheeks. If you’re vigilant with your skin checks (as you would be visits to the dentist, etc.), your dermatologist will be looking everywhere to make sure nothing abnormal is present.
Bottom line is to cover up as much as possible, wear sun screen, stay out of the sun during the peak hours of the day and get regular skin checks.
This is true but you only need to be exposed to the sun for a very short time in order to fulfill your daily vitamin D needs, so this is really not a major concern (plus I don’t think people would completely cover up their bodies, just the parts that burn the fastest, neck, arms back nose etc) Although I’d be interested to find out how you go about covering up your nose. A summer ski mask?
In some scenarios, true. But UVB exposure (the part of sunlight which causes vitamin D production) is very different from simple sun exposure, as it’s blocked by the atmosphere (low sun angles and cloud cover). Thus, UVB exposure/absorption is highly dependent on latitude, time of year, time of day, skin tone, and the amount of skin exposed. Some interesting factoids:
In mid-latitudes (35-50 degrees, San Francisco, New York, Paris, Rome), no vitamin D production happens between November and February (sun is too low).Before 8 am and after 6 pm (the hours of most peoples’ workouts during the week), virtually no vitamin D production occurs (again, sun is too low).
During mid-latitude summer, from 11:00-3:00, 5-15 minutes of exposing both your arms and legs will give you your daily vitamin D needs (the time range is for fair skin to dark skin). In spring/fall, double those times.We can stock up on enough vitamin D during the summer to carry us through the winter. Wearing sunscreen prevents vitamin D production.
I would bet that 25% of people on this board have less than optimal vitamin D levels because they’re outside mostly during mornings/evenings, and that during mid-day they’re completely covered in sunscreen/clothes.