Great news in the war against cancer, particularly skin cancer. A new study has shown
increasing the amount of Vitamin A one consumes is a great way to reduce one’s chances of developing skin cancer. The study looked at 125,000 Americans and showed those with the highest Vitamin A intake lowered their risk of Squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer by 15%.

Most of the Vitamin A came from food. As many as 11% of all Americans will develop Squamous cell carcinoma as it is a very common form of skin cancer. It normally develops on areas exposed to sunlight often such as a person’s head and face. It should be said, if a person expects to be out in the sun for a long period of time, they should wear sunscreen.

Vitamin A is found in a variety of readily available foods and can lower your risk of developing skin cancer.

Do not rely on vitamin A alone to protect yourself from the sun. Sources of vitamin A include sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, carrots, broccoli, spinach, fish and meat. While it is possible to ingest vitamin A in supplement form, be careful. Vitamin A is fat soluble, meaning it can collect in fat cells. It can build up in a person and large amounts can increase the risk of osteoporosis and hip fractures.

The study showed individuals who increased the amount of vitamin A supplements did not appear to lower the risk of skin cancer. It also seemed to be more protective for people who had moles and those who had blistering sunburn in their childhood and adolescence. While the study was not designed to find a cause and effect link, researchers said vitamin A works to a person’s benefit, keeping skin cells healthy.