Two Newcastle scientists are setting themselves to open our eyes to the medical truth by claiming that natural sunlight may help prevent skin cancer.
Dr. Ron Laura, professor of health education at Newcastle University, and senior chemist Mr. John Ashton said their research points to a complete 21 of the accepted scientific theory. They said that sunscreen creams may help cause skin cancer, the artificial indoor light could be 22 and that a range of drugs in common use could also 23 melanoma--a type of cancer that appears as a dark spot on the skin.
The research is likely to be unwelcome in some traditional medical research circles. It is based on a new 24 that our bodies are protected from skin cancer by the regulation of a group of complex vitamins (Vitamin D) and immune process.
The sunscreens, artificial light and drugs could all unfavorably affect the production of these vitamins and increase the skin's 25 to the sun. But Dr. Laura said natural sunlight passing through the eyes helped 26 the production of cancer protection Vitamin D.
He said recent statistics from the United States indicated that people who worked indoors all day in artificial light were more 27 melanomas than those who worked outdoors. Indoor workers should try to have at least one hour of 28 to direct sunlight every day, 29 in the early morning and late afternoon when ultraviolet intensively was lower, Dr. Laura said.
Sunscreens, long 30 as essential for beach lovers, could also 31 the production of Vitamin D. Laura and Ashton said sunscreens give people a 32 sense of security in thinking they are 33 from the sun's rays.
Dr. Laura said more statistics 34 their claim had come to light since the first article was published. He believes his research findings are too important to be 35 to the scientific world.
