Rob

If you follow your link it goes to a US Govt website, then if you go to the bottom of the page and click PubMed it will take you to the PubMed abstract that they based their conclusion on.

If you then look at similar articles in PubMed you will find the article I posted.

Shoddy research mate, It is not even an Australian Govt. site you quote.

Sorry I don't have shares in any Pharma Companies.

I am supportive of govt health warning campaigns in principle. But the information needs to be absolutely clear and unbiased. When the "Slip-Slop-Slap" message [is that a WA term, or is that what we all call it?] was first being pushed, it was acknowledged that there was a wide variety of skin types in Australia and, as a consequence, our relatively safe sun exposure times/conditions varied. But for some years now, we all seem to be told something like "9 minutes in the sun and that's your lot!".

I'm very fortunate when it comes to sun tolerance. Born in England of very mixed Caucasian family, almost all of whom had naturally darkish, easily tanned skin, I've never burnt, despite the fact that I've been here for 44 years and lived and worked in some very harsh areas. And, from choice, I practically live in the sun. But, according to the current "one size fits all" skin cancer messages, I'm in virtually the same category as a full blood desert Aborigine on the one hand and a red haired Scotsman on the other.

cont

"I raise this particularly because some studies indicate that because sunscreen contains a number of carcinogens it may actually cause some skin cancers."

I've got a couple of sun protection creams in the house. My lady friend is from Northern Japan, but has the beautiful skin appearance of a person from a more southerly part of the Indian/Pacific Oceans. Despite me telling her how lovely she looks, she tries in vain not to get any darker in the summer. So the creams are here if she wants to use them.

I have a bulk container of Australian Cancer Society cream and a smaller specialist proprietary brand, which is much kinder to a lady's facial skin. I've just checked the ingredients in The Chemical Maze, Your Guide to Food Additives and Cosmetic Ingredients, by Australian author/researcher Bill Statham ISBN 0 9578535 2 1. According to Bill, some of the ingredients are somewhat questionable, but maybe that's virtually unavoidable.

But whatever is in these two creams pales into insignificance compared to the potentially harmful cocktail of chemicals in almost all the personal care products which the ladies are urged to beautify themselves with, by assorted Hollywood personalities who get paid millions to repeat their scripts on TV.

And how about insect repellant. They almost all contain DEET, in fact that's generally regarded as virtually essential. But have a look at this:

http://www.mercola.com/2002/jul/17/insect_repellant.htm

Choice Magazine has also issued a cautionary warning about DEET.

Just something to think about.

Posted by Steve Madden, Friday, 8 December 2006 3:34:33 PM
"Shoddy research mate, It is not even an Australian Govt. site you quote."

Point conceded however I was raising a question rather than presenting research. I dont think that objection is necessarily valid though since presumably sun exposure, sunscreen and skin cancer are all related similarly here and in the US.


"go to the bottom of the page and click PubMed it will take you to the PubMed abstract that they based their conclusion on. If you then look at similar articles in PubMed you will find the article I posted."

While your research may be listed it still doesnt explain why your figures werent used and the other figures were - if your research supports the use of sunscreen it seems strange that they would select research that doesnt unlesss it was better quality research.

"Sorry I don't have shares in any Pharma Companies."

Yeah, I am sorry I dont have any shares in pharma co's too

Hi ProfGlenda,

I hope you see this. I know nothing about this so-called slimming aid, so held off answering in case you got any replies based on actual experience. I did a bit of Googling. but I suppose that you have done that too.

I would say that the general consensus on this type of alleged slimming aid is that we can't expect a major lifestyle change, just by popping a pill. Or, as the well known saying puts it, if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

I've never had a problem with weight control, but of course some of my friends have/have had and I do know something about it. You are welcome to email me if you wish:

gud4ugud4me@optusnet.com.au