Leading Medical Researcher Urges Manufacturers to Issue Warning Labels on All Sunscreen Products.BETHESDA, Md.--(BW HealthWire)--Sept. 18, 1998-- Despite Increased Use of Sunscreens Sunscreens Definition Sunscreens are products applied to the skin to protect against the harmful effects of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. Purpose Everyone needs a little sunshine. , Skin Cancer Rates Continue to Rise Speaking out today at a medical conference sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, the FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. and seven other government agencies, Dr. Michael F. Holick, a professor of medicine and dermatology at the Boston University School of Medicine Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) is one of the graduate schools of Boston University. It is an American medical school located in the South End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. , strongly urged all sunscreen sunscreen /sun·screen/ (-skren) a substance applied to the skin to protect it from the effects of the sun's rays. sun·screen n. manufacturers to use warning labels, regarding UV exposure, on sunscreen products. Holick said that despite the increase in sunscreen use, skin cancer rates are continuing to rise. Although sales in the sun-care category rose 11 percent in 1997 in the United States, the number of melanoma cases reported have continued to rise, about 4 percent each year, since the 1970s. Melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, will strike more than 40,000 Americans this year. "Many consumers don't realize that sunscreens have never been clinically proven to prevent skin cancer. This false sense of security may be encouraging sunbathers to stay out in the sun longer than they normally would, thus accounting for the rise in skin cancer rates," said Holick. While many consumer products, including children's toys, music CDs and even bed mattresses contain warning labels, most sunscreen labels do not. Only one sunscreen manufacturer, California Tan, based in Los Angeles, currently places warning labels on sunscreen bottles. The warnings read: "With sunscreen protection, UV exposure can still lead to skin cancer and premature aging, even if you don't Even If You Don't is a single released by the band Ween in 2000 on Mushroom Records. Formats Enhanced CD single Includes the quicktime video of "Even If You Don't" directed by Matt Stone & Trey Parker of "South Park". burn." Although warning labels are not currently mandated by the FDA, Holick would like to see other sunscreen manufacturers, such as Schering-Plough, manufacturer of the popular Coppertone sunscreen label, take the responsible step by following California Tan's example. Holick is an endocrinologist; a professor of medicine, physiology and dermatology; and a renowned researcher in the areas of vitamin D vitamin D Any of a group of fat-soluble alcohols important in calcium metabolism in animals to form strong bones and teeth and prevent rickets and osteoporosis. It is formed by ultraviolet radiation (sunlight) of sterols (see steroid) present in the skin. , skin and bone health, and sunlight exposure at the Boston University School of Medicine. Holick also serves as the director of the Heliotherapy he·li·o·ther·a·py n. pl. he·li·o·ther·a·pies Medical therapy involving exposure to sunlight. heliotherapy a method of treating illness by exposure to the rays of the sun. Light and Skin Research Center at the Boston University of Medicine, which is dedicated to the study of both the positive and negative effects of sun and UV-light exposure on the body. California Tan is a leading sun-care product manufacturer based in Los Angeles. |
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