Pollen Fights Off Cancer

Having allergies protects us from cancer and the pollen that tortures us could be saving us from a terminal disease

(NEWSER) – If pollen leaves you cursing your runny nose and itchy eyes each year, take solace in this upside: Allergy, asthma, and hay fever sufferers have significantly lower risks of developing many cancers. New studies show that asthmatics are 30% less likely to get ovarian cancer, while kids with airborne allergies are 40% less likely to get leukemia. That may be because people sensitive to allergens have advanced immune systems, and expel cancer-causing toxins when they sneeze out irritants, say experts.

"'More work is still needed, but the numbers show allergy is a statistically significant protective factor," an epidemiologist told the New York Post. Other recent research has linked allergies to lower risks of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, and stomach cancer. Unfortunately, scientists can't "give" allergies to those who do not suffer from them.’ -NY Post

Now for the bad news: 

Sunscreens may promote skin cancer because many products contain vitamin A  

‘Sunscreen may not be the great protector it's cracked up to be: A study of 500 of the most popular sunscreen products found that nearly half may actually promote the growth of skin cancer. That's because they contain some form of vitamin A, which may accelerate the rate at which malignant cells develop when used on skin exposed to sunlight. In their annual report, researchers at Environmental Working Group point to a decade-old FDA study they discovered on the vitamin's photocarcinogenic properties.

"In that year-long study, tumors and lesions developed up to 21% faster in lab animals coated in a vitamin A-laced cream than animals treated with a vitamin-free cream," the report said. AOL News notes that the FDA has denied knowing about vitamin A-related dangers, but EWG maintains that "there was enough evidence 10 years ago for FDA to caution consumers against the use of vitamin A in sunscreens." EWG dubbed a paltry 39 of those reviewed safe and effective; view them here.’ -AOL News