Americans overdiagnosed at “alarming” rate

The unofficial start of summer is just around the corner. [Click here](1770d7/ct0_0/1/ms?sid=TV2%3Ab2bBkQp79) to view this message in your browser | [Click here](1770d7/l-002e/zout?sid=TV2%3Ab2bBkQp79) to stop receiving our messages [] [] Al Sears, MD 11905 Southern Blvd. Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 [] May 23, 2024 [] Reader, The unofficial start of summer is just around the corner. And each year, I give my patients and readers like you the same advice… Don’t be fooled by the mainstream media’s aggressive sunscreen campaign. Around this time, they try to scare you into believing that every time the sun touches your skin, you’re increasing your risk of malignant melanoma. The truth is…skin cancer is over-diagnosed in America. According to a recent study published in the BMJ, more than 85% of Americans diagnosed with melanoma in 2018 were overdiagnosed at a rate that the study authors called “alarming.”1 And a study published in JAMA Dermatology agreed. Researchers found that around 60% of melanomas in 2022 were overdiagnosed.2 You see, when clinics screen for skin cancer, they find things that may – or may not – meet a clinical definition of cancer. But in most cases, they are unlikely to become harmful, even if left untreated.3 This leads to thousands of unnecessary biopsies, heightened anxiety, and treatment side effects.4 It’s all a part of our modern sun phobia. But here’s the thing… Our fear of the sun has more to do with the commercial interests of sunscreen manufacturers than cancer protection. If the sun really were the cause of skin cancer, wouldn’t you expect people who live in sunnier climates to have the highest melanoma rates? It may surprise you to learn that populations with the most sun exposure have the lowest rates of skin cancer in the world. What’s worse is that mainstream medicine’s SPF-50 approach to the sun actually raises your risk of skin cancer – not to mention breast and colon cancer, and a host of other disorders, including diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis, heart disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, depression, high blood pressure, and multiple sclerosis. It’s true that getting a sunburn is dangerous for your skin. But you still need moderate exposure to sunlight – and you certainly should not avoid it altogether. When you block the sun’s UVB rays, your body can't make enough vitamin D, causing deficiencies that expose you to multiple far-reaching health consequences. It astonishes me that so few doctors ever think of warning their patients about the dangers of slapping on sunscreen. And despite being deemed “safe” by the FDA, the vast majority of sunscreens deliver toxic chemicals and known carcinogens into your skin.5 Here’s how I advise my patients to make sure they’re getting enough vitamin D, while at the same time protecting themselves from burns and too much UVB. First of all, I always recommend a little basking in sunlight to boost vitamin D levels. Your body is wired to get all of its vitamin D requirements from sunshine – and this is still the best way to obtain the nutrient. Catch some rays for 10 to 15 minutes at least a few times per week — if not every day. As little as 10 minutes in the midday sun can provide you with as much as 10,000 IUs. Sun Protection From The Inside Out Meanwhile, research has identified several supplements that can protect against sun damage… from the inside out. [cold fish] A South American fern prevents UV-related DNA damage up to 84%. - Try this tropical fern. A sun-protective compound from a South American fern fights oxidative stress in skin tissue and boosts the body’s strongest antioxidant, glutathione. Studies show that Polypodium leucotomos also reduces inflammation and skin redness. More importantly, it supports your immune system’s tumor surveillance systems, which identify and destroy cancerous cells. In a clinical trial, people who took Polypodium leucotomos before sun exposure had an astonishing 84% decrease in a marker of DNA mutation.6,7 You can find the supplement in health food stores and online. I recommend taking 240 mg twice per day – 8 hours and 2 hours before exposure to UV rays. - Supplement with nicotinamide: This is a form of vitamin B3 that protects skin cells from UV overexposure. Studies reveal it prevents cellular energy depletion, repairs DNA damage, and protects against skin cancer mutations. It also keeps skin hydrated and protected. All of these actions work to reduce the risk of skin cancer. I recommend taking 500 mg daily for one week before sun exposure.8,9 - Get 8 times the sun protection. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a potent antioxidant enzyme you can also take in supplement form. It clears free radicals that result in photoaging, sunburn, skin redness, and wrinkles caused by UV radiation exposure. In one study, it took subjects who consumed SOD 8 times more sunlight to get burned. Your body naturally makes SOD, but we produce less as we age. To help keep your SOD levels high, I encourage my patients to eat SOD-rich cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower. I also recommend supplementing with 500 mg daily.10,11 To Your Good Health, Al Sears, MD, CNS --------------------------------------------------------------- References: - Adamson AS, et al. “Ecological study estimating melanoma overdiagnosis in the USA using the lifetime risk method.” BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine. 19 January 2024. - Adamson AS, et al. “Estimating overdiagnosis of melanoma using trends among Black and White patients in the US.” JAMA Dermatol. 2022;158(4):426-431. - Sadrolashrafi K and Cotter D. “Not your mother’s melanoma: Causes and effects of early melanoma diagnosis.” Dermatopathology. 2022; 9(4),368-378. - Jesitus J. “Study reports melanoma overdiagnosis in white patients.” Dermatology Times. Accessed January 23, 2024. - Matta MK, et al. “Effect of Sunscreen Application Under Maximal Use Conditions on Plasma Concentration of Sunscreen Active Ingredients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” JAMA. 2019;321(21):2082-2091. - Kohli I, et al. “The impact of oral Polypodium leucotomos extract on ultraviolet B response: A human clinical study.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017 Jul;77(1):33-41 e1. - Chen AC, et al. “Non-melanoma skin cancer: carcinogenesis and chemoprevention.” Pathology. 2013 Apr;45(3):331-41 - Boo YC. “Mechanistic Basis and Clinical Evidence for the Applications of Nicotinamide (Niacinamide) to Control Skin Aging and Pigmentation. Antioxidants.” 2021;10(8):1315. - Snaidr VA, at al. “Nicotinamide for photoprotection and skin cancer chemoprevention: A review of efficacy and safety.” Exp Dermatol. 2019 Feb;28 Suppl 1:15-22. - Chen D, et al. “Protective effects of Cu/Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD on UVC radiation-induced damage in NIH/3T3 cells and murine skin.” Acta Histochemica. Vol 125, Issue 4, 2023. - Mac-Mary S, et al. “Evaluation of the effect of GliSODin on the intensity of actinic erythema,” presented at the CARD (Annual Congress of Dermatological Research) meeting in Brest, France, May 28th 2005. alsearsmd@send.alsearsmd.com [Preferences | Unsubscribe](1770d7/l-002e/zout?sid=TV2%3Ab2bBkQp79) 11905 Southern Blvd., Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33411, United States