Skin Cancer Prevention - Could Fish in Your Diet Make a Difference?

Deramatology Researchers at Hope Hospital, Salford,be equivalent to a permanent mild sun screen but
Manchester have uncovered exciting evidence thatwould not protect against fierce sun.
oily fish in your diet could help in the prevention ofMany people only apply sun screen if they're officially
skin cancer.sunbathing and then it can be patchy.
Omega 3 oils in fish have long been associated withSerious damage can happen in as little as 15 minutes -
health benefits in conditions such as poormaybe walking to the shops or taking the dog out -
concentration in children and protection against heartdoing a bit of gardening - how many of us would
disease and dementia, but it now appears that thesebother to put sun screen on for those tasks?
essential fatty acids protect the skin against the DNAIn the UK, skin cancer rates have doubled every
damage that can cause skin cancer.decade since 1940 and there are now around
Sun burn is a major factor in the development of100,000 new cases and 2000 deaths a year. These
skin cancer. Fair skinned people are particularlyincreases are reflected in pale skinned people all
susceptible and sun burn increases the chances ofaround the world.
developing skin cancer at a later date.Much of the increase in the UK has been put down
The research consisted of a group of 42 healthyto more people taking holidays abroad and exposing
people being given a fish oil supplement that wouldthemselves to excessive sun. However, there are
be the equivalent of three portions of oily fish amany days in the UK when it would be advisable to
week.protect ourselves but because the climate is mild
After one month, they were less likely to burn andoverall, we don't bother.
after three months, their resistance had risen to 33%Increasing oily fish in your diet is easy - even canned
less likely.fish (apart from tuna) retains the omega 3s, so
A group of people who suffered from sun allergysalmon, mackerel, sardines and the like can all be
doubled their defence after 6 months.used straight from the can.
These groups were measured against a third groupNow is the right time to make the change in the
who had been given olive oil which had no effect.Northern Hemisphere, so you'll have the additional
The protection derived from the change in diet wouldprotection by next summer.