A groundbreaking study, the Nambour Skin Cancer Study conducted in Australia, has found conclusive evidence that daily application of sunscreens, after an initial trial period lasting 4.5 years, resulted in a 38% reduction in the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma when compared with a control group that used sunscreen on a discretionary use basis, (e.g. when they went to the beach, played golf, etc.) The benefits of daily sunscreen use persisted and increased in magnitude for eight years after the end of the intervention according to Dr. Adele Green, head of cancer and population studies at the Queensland Institute of Medical research, Brisbane.

The Nambour Study, which began in 1992, involved 1,621 adults. One group used sunscreens every day, no matter what their days' activities, while another used sunscreens on an ad hoc basis (for the beach, yard work or sports.) Dr. Jean-Jacques Grob, professor of dermatology at the University de la Mediterranee, Marseille, France declared this study to be "the most important study ever done regarding sunscreens."

What many of us in the health care industry have long suspected turns out to be true, and has been confirmed by this study. Daily use of sunscreens will materially reduce the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma when compared to discretionary use. Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. There are 250,000 new cases each year in the United States according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. www.skincancer.org

While most squamous cancers are not serious, if left untreated they can lead to serious and, in rare cases, life threatening health conditions. At times, the tumors can even migrate to internal organs. The most common cause of these cancers is overexposure to the sun. Tumors most frequently develop on the face, lower lip, arms, upper ears, nose, back, shoulders and scalp.

The skin care industry is replete with many claims and assertions, most by the manufacturers of skin care products. The accompanying supporting research and studies on sunscreens are all too often conducted by the manufacturers themselves, have too small a study size, and areconducted under short time lines. The Nambour Study, on the other hand, was a medical research study, and therefore is worth your most serious attention.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently reviewing all rules and regulations applicable to sunscreens' effectiveness and labeling. Look for some significant changes in the near future. The reliance on SPF ratings may create a false sense of security. SPF only relates to chemical factors in products that block UVB rays. Unlike UVB, UVA rays may not leave a burn but are quite dangerous. To be efficacious, sunscreens should have not only an SPF rating of 15 or higher but also contain physical blockers such as titanium dioxide, and antioxidants to help fight free radicals. It also is logical to seek out cosmetics such as mineral make-up that include sun protection.

We recommend that you make sunscreen a part of your daily regime:

Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen (for both UVA and UVB rays) with an SPF of 30 or higher. If you prefer a lower SPF, you must reapply more frequently.

Apply sunscreen at least one half hour before leaving the house to ensure that it is properly absorbed into the skin before sun exposure.

Reapply every ninety minutes if you are outside for a prolonged period, particularly if you are swimming or sweating.

Don't forget your spouse, kids and houseguests- you may just save a life!

FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT SUNSCREENS, please call us at the Center for Laser,
(772) 219-4552. We carry a full line of skin care products including broad range sunscreens, restorative skin care and clarifying products to reduce the visual effects of sun damaged skin.

www.centerforlaserstuart.com