Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: cancer + survival + boost  Related to the article below (Last Update: 8/5/2008)

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Sun 'can boost survival hopes of cancer patients'

Sunbathing could improve your chances of surviving cancer, doctors say.

Those diagnosed with the disease in summer and autumn live longer than those diagnosed at other times of the year, British research shows.

This is probably because their vitamin D levels are topped up by sun exposure.

Researchers say vitamin D can affect the rate of cell division in tumour development and can trigger the self-destruction of cells developing in the wrong way.

The study of more than one million patients suggests the season when cancer is detected and treated could make a significant difference to progress of the disease.

It says that diagnosis in the summer and autumn months is 'associated with improved survival, especially in lung and breast cancer patients.

'We found sunlight exposure to be a predictor of cancer survival.

'Our results add to a growing body of evidence that vitamin D may play an important role in cancer survival.'

The study, which is a fast track publication in the International Journal of Cancer, looked at 590,000 men and 606,000 women diagnosed between 1971 and 2002. Diagnoses made in summer and autumn - when blood levels of vitamin D are highest - had the lowest risk of death.

Women with breast cancer had a 14 per cent lower risk of death, while women with bowel cancer were 6 per cent less likely to die.

There was a reduction of 6 per cent in the death rate for all cancers combined for both sexes when diagnosed in summer and autumn.

The study, which was led by Dr Henrik Moller, head of the Thames Cancer Registry based at King's College London, analysed their season of diagnosis, with summer and autumn defined as June 1 to November 30.

Intensity of light not measured

The researchers also obtained data on sunlight from the British Meteorological Office and calculated levels of cumulative sunlight hours for each season during the study period.

Their report says the results support the hypothesis that variation in vitamin D levels through sunlight exposure lies behind the differences in survival.

But it says data on sunlight hours probably underestimates the true effect of exposure because it does not measure the intensity of light - which is much stronger in summer and would have a more significant impact on blood levels of vitamin D.

The findings come as evidence grows that vitamin D could play a vital role in helping prevent disease, with sun exposure helping to top up natural levels more effectively than through diet.

A study last year showed taking a large dose of vitamin D every day - 1,000 international units (IU) or 25mcg - could halve your chance of developing cancers such as breast, ovarian, colon, and prostate.

Oliver Gillie, who runs Health Research Forum, a not-for-profit organisation, published a report showing that topping up levels of vitamin D could help prevent more than 25 chronic diseases.

He added: 'The research evidence shows Government advice to avoid sunbathing is misguided. Tanning should properly be seen as a sign of health, as indeed it is by most members of the public, although care should be taken to avoid burning.'

Mr Gillie said cancer patients should get advice from their doctors about whether they can safely sunbathe, as chemotherapy and radiotherapy can sensitise the skin to sunlight.

Suncream claims 'have serious health implications'

Popular sun creams - including the UK's best-selling brand - have been accused of putting health at risk by not offering the protection they claim.

The consumer group Which? says people - including children - risk spending longer in the sun than is safe because they are being misled.

Which? claims that Soltan, sold by Boots, plus Malibu, and own-label brands offered by Asda and Wilkinsons failed to deliver the protection printed on the pack.

The worrying findings triggered calls from the Trading Standards Institute for tough new rules on sun cream claims backed up with criminal sanctions and fines.

However, the survey findings have been rejected by the firms involved who are threatening legal action against the consumer body.

They say their own tests on the same batches of the sun creams confirm the protection levels stated on the labels are accurate.

The implications of the Which? research is that people are being put at risk of burning, even skin cancer, because protection levels do not meet expectations.

The Which? laboratory looked at a range of best-selling sun creams claiming a sun protection factor(SPF) of 15.

It said the Soltan brand managed only 8.7; Malibu, which is also a big seller, scored 6.9. The Wilkinsons product had an SPF of 6.3, while the Asda brand was 11.5.

Which? also tested a Tesco own-label cream with a claimed SPF of 15. The test, which was carried out before the cream went on general sale, found an SPF of a lower 9.2.

Subsequently, Tesco offered the product for sale with an SPF claim of 8, rather than the original 15.

Which? editor, Neil Fowler, said the other manufacturers should follow suit.

He said: "These failures could have serious health implications.

"An SPF of 15 gives more than 90 per cent protection against UVB rays, but if the SPF is actually much lower, people could risk damaging their skin by unknowingly soaking up too much sun."

Investigation calls

The consumer group is asking trading standards departments to investigate its findings.

Mr Fowler said: "We are also demanding that government departments strengthen the regulations on sun screen testing."

Chairman of the Trading Standards Institute, Nigel Strick, said: "At the moment, consumers have no guarantee about a sun screen from its label.

"This means, despite using sun screens properly, they can still be at risk. There must be clear and consistent laws, with criminal sanctions, to control these products and protect the public."

The Which? study found that many - generally more expensive - sun creams matched the SPF claimed, for example Ambre Solaire and Piz Buin.

Sun creams have two standards covering protection. The SPF relates to keeping out UVB rays. In theory, an SPF rating of 15, should allow wearers to stay in the sun 15 times longer without burning.

Separately there is the UVA star rating, where the highest figure of five offers the best protection.

Cancer Research UK has advised sun creams should be only one element of protection.

It advises people, particularly children, to avoid the fiercest sun of the day, between 11am and 3pm, and to use clothing and hats to cover themselves.

A spokesman said: "No sunscreen can protect skin completely from the sun's ultra-violet rays and so it is vital people take other measures to protect themselves."

Boots insisted the Which? tests were simply wrong. The company said it had re-tested Soltan products from the same batch examined and found an SPF of 17.

It said: "We completely disagree with Which's findings on Soltan factor 15 and are now considering legal action.  

"We've tested Soltan independently and in our own laboratories and we are confident that it's safe and does exactly what it says on the bottle."

She added: "Boots are keen to work with Which? to understand their testing process as it seems to be at odds with every other test this product has had.

"Soltan is the number one suncare brand in the UK and as a responsible retailer and manufacturer we have the utmost confidence in this product."

Malibu Health Products also challenged the accuracy of the Which? findings and insisted all its SPF claims have been verified by independent laboratories.

It said: "Pre-launch testing carried out by a highly reputed American laboratory had given the lotion an SPF of 17.69."

It described the Which? findings as "highly questionable".

Asda has changed the formula of its own-brand sun cream since the tests were carried out. Consequently, the Which? results are not valid for the product now on shelves.

Despite this, the store pointed out that its own test of the suspect sun cream had confirmed the SPF rating of 15 was correct.