As school gets cranked up and we're enjoying some of the last few days of Kansas's punishing heat, I think ahead to the gray skies and cooler times of the fall and the winter. It makes me ask myself how much sun did I really get this year?

The Sun has gotten a bad rap for the past three decades or so. Everything from skin cancer to eye problems to who knows what else. But let's take a second to look at the links between health issues and sun exposure. 

We've been taught from a very early age that if you are exposed too much sun, you are going to get skin cancer. While that is true, what is understated is the fact that sun exposure has many more positive benefits than negative. As a pasty freckled guy myself, it took me a long time to come to grips with this analysis, but when we really look at the data, it's glaringly obvious. 

So let's start with skin cancer. Yes, the vast majority of sun prevention talks about the high frequency of skin cancer. What it fails to mention is that the most common types of cancer are very seldom to result in a higher risk for death. Most cases of skin cancer are benign and can be removed by a dermatologist in 30 seconds. 

The cancer that is the most lethal is melanoma and it is nothing to be trifled with. Having a sibling go through a battle with melanoma is agonizing to watch from afar. However, only about 3 in 1000 cases of skin cancer result in melanoma. So it's a case of the prevalence of skin cancer being reported as very high but the type of skin cancer that is dangerous is very low.

When we start looking at the other benefits of sun exposure we see a number of things. One is that exposure to UV rays acts as a vasodilator, meaning it allows blood vessels to open. What we see in areas around the tropics, and closer to the equator, the general population has lower blood pressure. Initial assumptions that a warmer climate was the cause for this decrease in blood pressure proved to be untrue, indicating that it was not the warmer temperatures, but sun exposure itself.  

In the States and other northern latitudes, high blood pressure is a major cause of cardiovascular disease, stroke and other major disease. Not only can sun exposure help to prevent these ailments, it can also reduce vitamin D deficiency and even aid myopia (shortsightedness).

A more recent development in sun exposure conversation has been the nature of the chemicals that make up sunscreen. We’ve been told by cosmetic and skincare companies that we shouldn’t be spending a second of time outside without some form of sunscreen for protection. That sounds a little suspect to me. When we look at the list of ingredients that are inside of the sunscreen we’re supposed to be using each and every day, it can be a cause for concern. A big reason for this is that many of these substances have not been tested for safety. Sure they’ve been using it in these products for years, but how it affecting us long term?

 So what is the right answer here? In reality, these recommendations are based on extraordinarily pale people, but used as a blanket statement for those of all skin colors and hues. Sunscreen, like anything, should be used in moderation. 

So what do people on this side of the conversation advocate? 

Number one is that we should still continue to avoid sunburn.  We don't need to experience the crippling pain of a second degree sunburn to know that a sunburn at any level is just plain bad. Sunburn fundamentally damages DNA and can make it difficult for that DNA to repair properly.

However, just 10 to 15 minutes of exposure to the sun daily can have profound health benefits. And if we’re making an attempt to avoid overusing those sunscreen products, a long sleeve shirt and a hat should suffice. The complete and utter avoidance of the sun's UV rays has an overtly negative correlation with one's health.

If you’d like to get more in depth on this conversation, check out this cool Podcast from Outside Magazine.