Does Sunscreen Cause or Prevent Skin Cancer?

Sunscreen is put to the test in a randomized controlled trial to see if it can actually prevent skin cancer.

The most exciting part of that study is the spontaneous regression of more than 100 precancerous growths in the sunscreen group. They completely vanished! Their body, even in an immunocompromised state, could heal itself once it just stopped being bombarded with so many cancer-causing rays.

In the last video, we learned that wearing sunscreen is the most important thing you can do for skin care ( ). Next, we look at The Best Type of Sunscreen to Use ( ).

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-Michael Greger, MD FACLM

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Leroy Johnson
 

  • @johnchiappone2163 says:

    Thank you for changing my life.

  • @shull-tn1yq says:

    Thank you UAW 💖😘

  • @brinkcoleen says:

    Thanks you we proud of you all 😻👅

  • @pdblouin says:

    30-50ml of sunscreen is prohibitively expensive, especially if I reapply as often as they say I should. It would cost me like CAD$20 per day to be outside in shorts and a sleeveless shirt. Thankfully I live in a frozen wasteland most of the year, I guess, and it’s usually not hot enough in summer so I can wear long sleeves.

    • @oskariKN25 says:

      higher 50 spf sunscreen retains its protective properties longer although it might still decay, reapplication is then not as necessary.

    • @bg4162 says:

      It’s strange that sunscreen is marketed as an essential product but priced as a luxury product. I am from India and I see that people who need sunscreen the most (daily wage workers, delivery and courier personnel, etc) are also the least likely to be able to afford it, especially in the recommended amount.

    • @IRosamelia says:

      Friend, you have to shop around. Both in Spain and Germany I’m able to find 50 plus special for faces for the equivalent to 5 USD and it lasts me two weeks. The cheapest good brand in Germany is Nivea; in Spain it’s Deliplus.

    • @pdblouin says:

      @@IRosamelia How many mL do you apply per day? You’re buying ~500ml for 5USD?

    • @IRosamelia says:

      @@pdblouin it’s definitely much less than 500ml. I’d say like 150ml or 200 ml. I use just one teaspoon for my face and the back of my hands twice per day

  • @AndrewPawley11 says:

    I love this channel!

  • @mindbomb9341 says:

    What does this do to generating enough Vitamin D with your skin?

    • @HoangAnhNguyen-cr7to says:

      brand boost lab has released a new product namely Sundrop and absorb wavelength produces vitamin d from the sun no harmful for your skin

    • @mv2woods says:

      It stops it. Better to just get vitamin D in your diet or through supplementation as I understand it

    • @enerjeffic says:

      @@mv2woods Unfortunately, for me this topic is a case of “dueling experts”: Greger – eat/swallow your Vitamin D ; McDougall – get it the natural way — from the sun. I trust both sources, but here they disagree. I lean toward the latter here, however.

  • @TheTonomancer says:

    Can you do a video on the supposed ill effects of coumarin in cassia Cinnamon vs ceylon cinnamon?

  • @rafnaegels8913 says:

    What about toxicity of sunscreen?
    Is there any concern?

    • @Mr.N0.0ne says:

      In my research I found that sunscreen helps to prevent the non-fatal carcinomas, but does not prevent, and may even contribute to the fatal melononas and other cancers, both by blocking useful sun exposure and by containing carcinogens.

      When applying the recommended 9 teaspoons to the skin several times per day, just imagine how much is absorbed into the tissues and bloodstream, reaching every organ in the body. Some sunscreens contain chemicals that have been linked to cancer, such as benzine.

      People with regular sun exposure have been shown to have a higher incidence of non-fatal basal cell carcinomas and a lower incidence of fatal cancers. Moderate regular sun exposure ages the skin, but causes a protective effect against many diseases, including cancer.

    • @FlatStan1l says:

      what I want to know also

    • @G0twood says:

      Use mineral sunscreens instead of chemical based

    • @TheRetroChallengerV says:

      Yes, many are banned in europe. Mineral all day

  • @kgold5962 says:

    I’ve read that the safest sunscreens to use are zinc and/or titanium. I’m concerned about all the chemicals in regular sunscreen. What issues would long term use cause if using a chemical sunscreen? You may avoid skin cancer but may develop other issues.

    • @MattieIris says:

      Skin Absorption and Hormonal Effects: Benzophenone-3 can be absorbed through the skin and, in some cases, enter the bloodstream. There is evidence to suggest that it may act as an endocrine disruptor, affecting the body’s hormones. In particular, estrogenic, antiandrogenic, and thyroid effects have been observed in laboratory studies.
      Allergies and Skin Sensitivity: Some people may develop allergic reactions or skin sensitization when using oxybenzone-containing products, experiencing symptoms such as rashes and itching.

    • @arizonanative7409 says:

      I’ve lived in Phoenix for 32 years, use a 110 sun screen forever. No ill effects. I supplement a lot with Vitamin C and mushrooms. 😎

  • @montereypine4702 says:

    Curious if the brand additives play part in the cancer risk? Propellants for aerosol etc

  • @KarlMeyer says:

    I wear UPF clothing every time I go outside. It saves me a ton of time & money. I’ll usually only put sunscreen on my face

    • @JD-59 says:

      Same. I don’t like breaking out my skin (acne), and have a hooded sun shirt, and wear wide brim hats, which no body in the US seems to wear any more (ball caps with no neck or ear protection. In other countries like China, they use portable umbrellas during the day to shade themselves. Also, I have a UV index App on my phone, which makes it easy like checking the weather.

    • @kati-ana says:

      Those chemicals they use in making these clothes that are supposed to “protect” you are highly cancerous.

  • @RoughNeckDelta says:

    I hope Dr Greger will cover chemical vs mineral sunscreens.

  • @chiyerano says:

    Sunscreen helps to keep down precancerous growths on the skin. Not all sunscreens are made with the same ingredients. Some sunscreens are very safe and can be found on sites like EWG. Depending on where you live, you still may not be able to make enough vitamin D from sun exposure so vitamin D supplementation may be needed after you get your levels checked. Thanks for the upload!

  • @wadepatton2433 says:

    My arms and face show years of sun damage, but now I protect them since beginning to work out of doors every day. But only use SS on my face/neck and hands because I wear sun-rated long-sleeves and wide hats. I don’t protect my legs (only exposed from top of boots to bottom of long shorts if at all) because I’ve never had a friend have skin cancers taken from their legs (always face, ears, head, neck). Only when boating or beaching do my legs/feet need protection. Long sleeves and hooded sun shirts are real game changers out here in the field.

  • @k.c.8658 says:

    Did I miss the benefit for melanoma prevention?

  • @mv2woods says:

    Why would you propose a question in the title that you only answered half of? People want to know of its safe to wear sunscreen! Ya know, like lathering our bodies in unknown chemicals often. Seems like you would have addressed that at some point given the title.

  • @wadepatton2433 says:

    I’m going to say this once again: SUN CLOTHING works great.
    It’s obvious where it is applied, it doesn’t wear off–but may ride up. It starts/stops working immediately. And is very economical (can be purchased second-hand from many sources). It can also be used in conjunction with whatever SPF spray/lotion/creme you like for areas of exposure. AND after the sun gets low in the sky, you can take it all off-as desired.

  • @porfirisefstathiadis7576 says:

    Thank you

  • @sz8874 says:

    I also think it depends on the individual. I googled skin cancer and overweight and skin cancer and comorbidities and for each I good a study that they have higher chances.
    I would think that a metabolically healthy person have a much lower chance of getting skin cancer. Assuming he is not a risk taker.

  • @kati-ana says:

    Sunscreen is so expensive, or a good quality one anyway. A golfball sized each day would be a bottle a week. That’s like 100 bucks a month. Might as well stay indoors.

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