UVB radiation is thought to be the most dangerous light in the solar spectrum. Scientists think that UVB light causes most of the non-melanoma skin cancers.
When you're exposed to UVB radiation for a period of time, it inflames the skin and causes sunburn. Squamous cell carcinoma is diagnosed in about 250,000 people each year in the United States. The cancer can arise from the inflammation of the skin by possible DNA damage.
Even though the scientist's discovery was only so far seen in mice, the researchers at the Ohio State University Medical Center say that a topical compound made of black raspberries significantly slows the growth of Squamous cell skin cancer.
The scientists think that the cancer fighting effects are a result of powerful antioxidants called anthacyanins that give the fruit its rich, dark color. The researchers said "In our experiments, the black raspberry treatment significantly reduced inflammatory damage and reduced tumor growth and spread".
In the future the researchers hope to have a topical treatment for humans that will alleviate pain and also protect against sun damage.
1. I'll bet any cream or lotion that has purported beneficial anti-carcinogenic effects will be expensive. I wonder if you can just pour berry juice into a tub and soak in it for a few hours.
Posted at 11:26AM on Apr 26th 2007 by Overpriced Designer Man Bag