AAD urges public to be sun smart

National report

- The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) continues to advise the public to practice proper sun protection to prevent skin cancer, despite recent debate on the health benefits of vitamin D, Medical News Today reports.

AAD President C. William Hanke, M.D., F.A.A.D. says though the health benefits of vitamin D are well-known, exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is also a well-known cause of skin cancer. Therefore, he says, appropriate amounts of vitamin D can be met through a healthy diet and vitamin supplements,according to Medical News Today.

The statements come after recent debate over the necessity of obtaining vitamin D through sun exposure. A recent ad from the Indoor Tanning Association claims skin cancer is not caused by indoor tanning, arguing that tanning with UV rays helps stimulate the body to produce vitamin D and prevent heart disease and other cancers, according to dbtechno.com.

The AAD has discredited this claim by saying a person can easily get enough vitamin D with just a little sunlight.