‘Sunphobic’ at risk – specialist

TAKING the Sun-smart message too far could leave “Sunphobic” people at greater risk of skin cancer, according to a Geelong specialist.
Dr Ian Holten said people had “misunderstood” Cancer Council’s “slip, slop, slap” campaign about responsibly using Sun protection, with many now suffering “dangerously low” vitamin D levels.
Dr Holten believed the advent of 50-plus sunscreen was “pandering to hysteria” and instead leaving people at higher risks of skin cancer, bone and muscle weakness, heart disease and mental health issues.
People needed 10 to 20 minutes of Sun without applying sunscreen daily for adequate levels of vitamin D, he said.
“In 20 minutes your body can make 20000 international units of vitamin D, which you could compare to the 1000 IU tablets available, except the Sun is free.”
Applying zinc or titanium-based sunscreen and covering the face afterward would prevent skin damage, Mr Holten said.
Deakin medical expert Professor Mark Kotowicz acknowledtged that vitamin D deficiency was increasing but said the Sun-smart message still had merit.
“Aim to get vitamin D when the UV radiation is less during the day, so before 10am and after 3pm.”
Cancer Council SunSmart Victoria manager Jen Makin said the organisation encouraged people to be “outdoors and active” but to avoid the Sun in times of high UV rays.
“The World Health Organisation recommends people use Sun protection whenever UV rays are at level three or above. In Victoria the maximum level reached recently has been 13, which is extreme.
“If people want to protect their skin from cancer they should could up during high UV and get their vitamin D when the UV isn’t as strong.”
Ms Makin advised keeping tabs on vitamin D intake during winter when UV levels were low.