The following documents are the reference documents for Carol Whitelock's discussion with Dr Donohoe on Monday, 29 March 2004 . They are provided only as starting points for research for those interested in the issues raised. They specifically DO NOT represent the views of the ABC, nor is the information provided here prescriptive or an alternative to consultation with a qualified health practitioner.

The sensible advice at present to reduce the need for sunscreen use is:

• to minimise sunlight exposure between 10AM and 3PM;
• to use clothing and a broad-brimmed hat when out in the hours around midday;
• to make sure that children do not burn and peel (recurrent burning with peeling more than 8 times in childhood is the only strong direct link between sunlight exposure and melanoma (the worst type of skin cancer);

Reducing melanoma risk (and cancer risk generally, of course) is also achieved by avoidance of work and environmental chemicals known or suspected of causing cancer, and maintaining a healthy diet.  In particular, the available information at present is that the following foods reduce the risk of developing melanoma:

• cruciferous vegetables such as brocolli & cauliflower, (contain protective sulfa);
• yellow and orange fruits and vegetables (contain cantioxidant arotenoids);
• cooked tomato (contain antioxidant lycopenes); and
• fish or other sources of omega-3 fatty acids (balance omega 6 fats in diet).

If your diet is inadequate or you have particularly sensitive skin, supplementation with vitamin E, vitamin C, other antioxidant supplements, and omega-3 fatty acids may be beneficial in reducing redness and damage from sun exposure.

It is important to keep sunlight in perspective. It provides benefits as well as risks, and it can be argued that the campaign to reduce melanoma deaths has been unsuccessful, and may even have resulted in worse health and more deaths, rather than better health and less deaths over the past 30 years.

If you or your family have very sensitive skin, rapidly reddened by sunlight exposure, you may need to take extra care.

Happy reading. Please feel free to contact me if further information is required.