While I agree that many sunscreens contain many harmful chemicals and that vitamin D is vital in the prevention of many diseases (there are countless studies currently going on studying vitamin D and diseases and cancer prevention) saying the UV rays are not a cause of cancer is completely false.
UV rays cause damage to DNA. Not sure of your level of knowledge in biology so forgive me if you feel I am talking down, I am not, just trying to explain. DNA is composed of a phosphodiester backbone and four nucleotides that make up the entire genetic code--thymine, Cytosine, Adenine, and Guanine. When your cells are subjected to UV radiation the bonds of the pyrimidine nucleotide bases (thymine and Cytosine) form covalent bonds with one another when they are paired next to each other. These bonds are commonly referred to as thymine dimers and they create big problems when it comes time for the cell to replicate. These dimers lead to mutations and if these mutations occur in a gene such as an oncogene or a tumor suppressor gene they will lead to cancer. Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers because skin cells are one of the few cells in the body that are constantly replicating and also because every second you are in the sunlight 50-100 of these thymine dimers form. Have you every wondered why your skin turns red and is warm to the touch after a sun-burn? It is not because you have actually been burned, it is your immune system disposing of all of the cells that underwent programmed cell death (apoptosis) due to the formation of thymine dimers. Vitamin D is very important, however you don't need prolonged exposure to sunlight to produce adequate amounts.
On a side not your comments about x-rays I mostly agree with. Ionizing radiation that you are subjected to from an x-ray is very bad. That's why they typically only recommend getting x-rays once a year unless the risk is justified. The guy earlier talking about the doctor that said the x-ray machine was no worse than going out in the sun is a moron and I would find a new doctor. If you want to talk about things that are going to increase the incidence of cancer just go to the airport. I have refused to go through the body scanners every time and instead opt for a pat down. Those things are so dangerous for frequent flyers, they are already subjected to elevated levels of radiation when they fly and now they are x-rayed before every flight, not good.
UV rays cause damage to DNA. Not sure of your level of knowledge in biology so forgive me if you feel I am talking down, I am not, just trying to explain. DNA is composed of a phosphodiester backbone and four nucleotides that make up the entire genetic code--thymine, Cytosine, Adenine, and Guanine. When your cells are subjected to UV radiation the bonds of the pyrimidine nucleotide bases (thymine and Cytosine) form covalent bonds with one another when they are paired next to each other. These bonds are commonly referred to as thymine dimers and they create big problems when it comes time for the cell to replicate. These dimers lead to mutations and if these mutations occur in a gene such as an oncogene or a tumor suppressor gene they will lead to cancer. Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers because skin cells are one of the few cells in the body that are constantly replicating and also because every second you are in the sunlight 50-100 of these thymine dimers form. Have you every wondered why your skin turns red and is warm to the touch after a sun-burn? It is not because you have actually been burned, it is your immune system disposing of all of the cells that underwent programmed cell death (apoptosis) due to the formation of thymine dimers. Vitamin D is very important, however you don't need prolonged exposure to sunlight to produce adequate amounts.
On a side not your comments about x-rays I mostly agree with. Ionizing radiation that you are subjected to from an x-ray is very bad. That's why they typically only recommend getting x-rays once a year unless the risk is justified. The guy earlier talking about the doctor that said the x-ray machine was no worse than going out in the sun is a moron and I would find a new doctor. If you want to talk about things that are going to increase the incidence of cancer just go to the airport. I have refused to go through the body scanners every time and instead opt for a pat down. Those things are so dangerous for frequent flyers, they are already subjected to elevated levels of radiation when they fly and now they are x-rayed before every flight, not good.
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