The last-minute agreement involving Providence Health & Services in Orange County has been overshadowed by their decision to exclude the IFP (Individual and Family Plan) Trio HMO from the Blue Shield network starting August 1, 2024. 

Applying sunscreen daily is crucial, and even more so during the summer months when the risk of sunburns and sun damage is higher due to increased skin exposure. Although there have been concerns about the potential harm of certain sunscreen ingredients, the importance of sunscreen cannot be overstated. However, if sunscreen use results in skin problems such as acne, dryness, or allergic reactions, it may be necessary to consider alternative options or formulations.

Luckily, there are options for everyone regardless of any skin problems sunscreen has caused or made worse for you in the past.

Summer offers a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and embrace the offerings of Mother Nature. Engaging in activities like hiking along local trails or swimming in community pools can boost your body's vitamin D levels, aiding in the retention of calcium and phosphorus, and enhancing immune regulation. Nevertheless, it's crucial to safeguard your skin from the damaging effects of UV rays by consistently applying sunscreen that is beneficial for both your health and the environment.

What to avoid

Many over-the-counter sunscreens contain chemicals that harm coral reefs and other marine life and can overall reduce the planet’s water quality. The main culprits are oxybenzone and octinoxate, which have been banned by many popular tourist destinations including the US Virgin Islands, the Florida Keys, and Hawaii. Other potentially harmful ingredients include homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, and ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate.

What to look for

Instead of reaching for sprays and chemical sunscreens, look for mineral-based products this season. Though not all mineral sunscreens are created equal, the best ones contain uncoated and non-nano-sized zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, two ingredients that are FDA approved and better for the environment. Consider trying products like Thinksport SPF 50+, Stream2Sea Sport SPF 30, or Raw Elements Face + Body SPF 30, all of which contain natural ingredients that are safe for your skin. Mineral sunscreens require a bit more work to apply since they sit on the skin and create a physical shield that blocks UV rays, but the health of your skin and the environment makes the extra effort worth it.

Melatonin supplements have a reputation for helping you nod off — but they may cause unwanted side effects.

Whether it's a fast-approaching meeting, early flight or general anxiousness that's keeping you up, we've all struggled with the occasional sleepless night. And when all else fails to send you to dreamland, you may have been tempted to use a sleep aid, such as a melatonin pill, to help guarantee a good night's sleep.

Although melatonin is a generally safe over-the-counter dietary supplement, it can have an effect on your day-to-day sleep schedule. Plus, the label on your melatonin bottle may not be as reliable as you think. Read on to learn about what really happens to your body when you take melatonin — and whether it's worth adding to your supplement routine.

As it's synchronized with the sun, melatonin helps keep your circadian rhythm regular so you get consistent, quality rest.

In pill, capsule or gummy form, melatonin is commonly used to help address sleep difficulties, per the National Sleep Foundation — but it has different side effects than you may think.

These 10 hidden carcinogens can raise the risk, according to an oncology expert

Many of cancer’s effects are visible — but the causes aren’t always so obvious. There are hundreds of different types of cancer, and far more causes. 

"Cancer-causing agents, known as carcinogens, can be of various types and forms, working toward triggering mutations in the human body that lead to the development of cancer," said Dr. John Oertle, chief medical director at Envita Medical Centers in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Tobacco

This carcinogen comes from cigarettes, leading to about 20% of all cancers and approximately 30% of cancer-related deaths in the country. Tobacco can cause cancer of the mouth, nose, throat, larynx, trachea, esophagus, lungs, stomach, pancreas, liver, kidneys, ureters, bladder, colon, rectum and cervix, as well as leukemia.

Organochlorines

Organochlorines are pesticides that have been used in agriculture around the world since they were introduced in the 1940s, despite having high toxicity. While they’ve been largely banned in the U.S. due to health hazards, they are still used in other countries.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are chemicals found in coal, crude oil and gasoline, according to the CDC. They are emitted into the environment with the burning of coal, oil, gas, wood, garbage and tobacco. Breast, skin, lung, bladder and gastrointestinal cancers can stem from exposure to these chemicals.

Volatile organic compounds

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals emitted through the creation of paints, pharmaceuticals and refrigerants, among other products. They are also found in industrial solvents, petroleum fuels and dry cleaning agents. The compounds can cause lung, nasopharyngeal, lymphohematopoietic and sinonasal cancers, as well as leukemia.

UV radiation

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization (WHO) both classify ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and tanning beds as a human carcinogen. UV rays can cause a variety of skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S., affecting one in five Americans in their lifetimes and resulting in 9,500 diagnoses each day.

Radon

A radioactive gas, radon is a byproduct of uranium, thorium or radium breaking down in rocks, soil and groundwater. When radon seeps into buildings and homes, people can breathe it in — increasing their risk of leukemia, lymphoma, skin cancer, thyroid cancer, various sarcomas, lung cancer and breast cancer.

Asbestos

Although some uses have been banned, it can still be found in insulation, roofing and siding shingles, vinyl floor tiles, and heat-resistant fabrics. Asbestos exposure can increase the risk of lung, mesothelioma, gastrointestinal, colorectal, throat, kidney, esophagus and gallbladder cancers.

Cadmium

Cadmium as "a soft, malleable, bluish white metal found in zinc ores, and to a much lesser extent, in the cadmium mineral greenockite." Cadmium can be found in paints, batteries and plastics. The metal can be a factor in lung, prostate, pancreatic and renal cancers.

Chromium

There are two types of this trace mineral, one is trivalent chromium, which is not harmful to humans. The other type, hexavalent chromium, is considered toxic. Inhalation of chromium, a known human carcinogen, has been shown to cause lung cancer in steel workers.

Nickel

Nickel is found in electroplating, circuitry, electroforming and batteries. Nickel has been linked to an increased risk of lung and nasal cancers.

Overall, more than 1.9 million new cancer cases were diagnosed in the U.S. in 2023, and around 609,820 cancer-related deaths were reported, according to the ACS. <Read Full Report>