This week’s summary of notable health and cancer news:
Which Sunscreens to Use and Avoid
Summer has finally arrived here in the Northwest, and recent forecasts point to plenty of opportunities to soak up the rays over the next few weeks. And with the hot weather comes the usual prescriptions for lathering up with sunscreen. However, according to the Enviromental Working Group (EWG), not all sunscreens are created equal. Of the 800 sunscreens they tested, only 25% offerred effective skin protection without the use of harmful ingredients. The EWG recommends you avoid sunscreens that contain oxybenzone, vitamin A, and have an SPF above 50. You can read their guidelines here.
And if you’re still somehow unconvinced about the harmful effects of the sun, check out this image that CNN posted that clearly demonstrates the long-term damage that the sun can do to your skin.
Massachusetts Man Catches Fire After Applying Sunscreen
You might also want to avoid sunscreens that can set you on fire, as ABC reported last month. Apparently Brett Sigworth sprayed on Banana Boat sunscreen just before attending to his grill, not knowing that the aerosol spray in the sunscreen was flammable.
Drinking Coffee May Reduce Risk of Most Common Form of Skin Cancer
After putting on that sunscreen, instead of tending your barbecue, you might consider drinking another cup of coffee. The Huffington Post reports on a study that links caffeine consumption with lower risks of basal cell carcinoma.
