A reader , Jim Waldenfels, commented on my recent post on protecting children's skin now to prevent skin cancer later. He made a good point on the necessity of Vitamin D to protect against other cancers.

I have also written about this dilemma in my post of May 14th. We have to make sure that we look at research with a questioning mind and weigh the risks and benefits. The article I quoted in my post, about the flip side of sun protection, seems to feel that it is worth the risk of contracting skin cancer to prevent other cancers. The writer felt that most skin cancers are easily treatable, whereas other cancers might not be.

It might be true up to a point, but there are certainly types of skin cancer that are very serious and that can lead to metastases which might not be so easily treatable. Supplements might be of benefit, but we need further research into how much is safe to take and whether it truly gives the same benefit as unprotected sun exposure.

I do believe that awareness is key and I thank our readers for their thought provoking comments. We love to hear from you, especially from those readers that have been affected by cancer, as we can learn from your experience.

In two recent posts, one published on May 8 and one on May 9, blogger Jacki Donaldson writes about the new recommendations for covering up to prevent skin cancer. As I was reading this, I thought that it made a lot of sense and that I should certainly pay more attention to what I am wearing and how much sunscreen I wear when I am outside. Good advice, right?

Maybe not. I have read a couple of articles recently that talk about Vitamin D deficiency and studies that point to this deficiency leading to cancer. The Globe and Mail reported that there is a U.S. study that will announce the first direct link between cancer prevention and Vitamin D. They found that women had about a 60 percent reduction in cancer when they took the vitamin as opposed to those who did not .

The problem with Vitamin D is that it is made when we have unprotected sun exposure -- the recommendation is 10 to 15 minutes a day. It is a problem because the same sunlight that makes Vitamin D causes skin cancer.

The sun's damaging rays can reach us even when we are relaxing inside, sitting in our cars or hiding behind a pair of sunglasses. Most people are unaware of the fact that windows, shade and sunglasses do not shield us from all of the sun's power. In fact some of the sun's most dangerous radiation is able to travel through standard glass or in and around sunglasses.  Standard window glass used for residential and commercial use filters out UVB radiation. Unfortunately, UVA and infrared radiation, which cause heat, are readily transmitted through standard glass.

Fortunately window makers and the sunglass industry have clued into these facts and are beginning to market more protective products. The variety of new window products that are flooding the market will likely be confusing to consumers. Some products filter out certain types of harmful rays, while other window panes are better protection for the other categories. The choices range from laminated glass to tinted glass to spectrally selective and UV-blocking insulating glass. The final note in sun protection when sitting near a window, be it in a home, office or car, is to remember that the window is not the exclusive form of protection for your skin. Wearing sunblock will help, a wide brimmed hat for the car is a smart option, a light weight, long sleeved shirt will also give your skin another shield against the sun.