Latest news with #Schaefer


Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
No, sunscreen will not give you skin cancer
Posts on social media have popped up recently, claiming that applying sunscreen reportedly increases the risk of skin cancer. Even though ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the main cause of melanomas, and sunscreen helps protect skin by filtering UV rays, these posts claim that sunscreen itself is doing damage, as reported by DW. "It is an indisputable fact that the countries that use the most sunscreen, have the highest incidence of skin cancer," said this X user in a post with close to 60,000 followers. "And the more sunscreen they use, the greater the prevalence." There are also TikTok videos warning about sunscreen. "There is no scientific evidence that supports the association of sunscreen use with a higher risk of cancer," Brittany Schaefer, Public Information Officer with the Connecticut State Department of Public Health told DW. The X post attributed the chart to the Connecticut Tumor Registry (CTR), but Schaefer says that was inaccurate. "The original cancer incidence data likely came from the CT Tumor Registry decades ago, but not the added text boxes regarding sunscreens. We do not know the source of the actual graphic, but it was not from CTR or the Connecticut Department of Public Health," she said. But why is the number of global skin cancer cases on the rise, even though more and more people are using sunscreen? A study across several countries from December 2023involving scientists from the US, Switzerland, Germany and Hungary looked at five hypotheses to get to the bottom of this. According to the study, possible reasons for misunderstandings and myths around linking skin cancer risk and sun protection include access to better diagnostics and treatment methods, outdated scientific studies, erratic use of sunscreen and climate change. Global incidence rates Rising awareness about skin cancer risks among both patients and doctors has led to an increase in reporting and documenting cases. In contrast to higher skin cancer incidence worldwide, the mortality rate has dropped due to better treatment options, says the World Health Organisation's International Agency for Research on Cancer. According to the World Cancer Research Fund, Australia had the highest age-standardised incidence rate of new cases in 2022: 37 new skin cancer cases per 100,000 people per year, followed by Denmark (31.1), Norway (30.6), New Zealand (29.8) and Sweden (27.4). The US ranked first with 101,388 cases in terms of the total number of skin cancer cases in 2022, while Germany ranked second with 21,976 skin cancer cases, with an identical incidence rate of 16.5. In terms of the number of skin cancer deaths in 2022, the US again took the lead with 7,368 deaths, while Germany ranked fourth with 3,303 cases, behind China and Russia. The following graph also shows that a high incidence rate of skin cancer does not necessarily correspond to a higher mortality rate. Another reason for rising skin cancer rates could also be the fact that people spend more time outside in the sun. Even if they applied sunscreen, that was no guarantee that they used it as intended to protect their skin. The lack of current scientific studies further adds to the problem of reinforcing outdated narratives. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only began regulating sunscreen in 2011. All prior studies examining sunscreen use and the development of melanoma were likely conducted with products that did not offer the same level of protection as those currently on the market.


DW
5 days ago
- Health
- DW
Fact check: Does sunscreen increase skin cancer risk? – DW – 07/19/2025
Social media posts claiming sunscreen causes cancer are spreading fast—but experts and studies say otherwise. Can sunscreen protect from melanoma, or do they increase the risk of skin cancer? Posts on social media have popped up recently, claiming that applying sunscreen reportedly increases the risk of skin cancer. Even though ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the main cause of melanomas, and sunscreen helps protect skin by filtering UV rays, these posts claim that sunscreen itself is doing damage. Claim: "It is an indisputable fact that the countries that use the most sunscreen, have the highest incidence of skin cancer," said this X userin a post with close to 60,000 followers. "And the more sunscreen they use, the greater the prevalence." There are also TikTok videoswarning about sunscreen. DW Fact check: False "There is no scientific evidence that supports the association of sunscreen use with a higher risk of cancer," Brittany Schaefer, Public Information Officer with the Connecticut State Department of Public Healthtold DW. The X post attributed the chart to the Connecticut Tumor Registry (CTR), but Schaefer says that was inaccurate. "The original cancer incidence data likely came from the CT Tumor Registry decades ago, but not the added text boxes regarding sunscreens. We do not know the source of the actual graphic, but it was not from CTR or the Connecticut Department of Public Health," she said. But why is the number of global skin cancer cases on the rise, even though more and more people are using sunscreen? A study across several countries from December 2023involving scientists from the US, Switzerland, Germany and Hungary looked at five hypotheses to get to the bottom of this. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video According to the study, possible reasons for misunderstandings and myths around linking skin cancer risk and sun protection include access to better diagnostics and treatment methods, outdated scientific studies, erratic use of sunscreen and climate change. Rising awareness about skin cancer risks among both patients and doctors has led to an increase in reporting and documenting cases. In contrast to higher skin cancer incidence worldwide, the mortality rate has dropped due to better treatment options, says the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer. According to the World Cancer Research Fund, Australia had the highest age-standardized incidence rate of new cases in 2022: 37 new skin cancer cases per 100,000 people per year, followed by Denmark (31.1), Norway (30.6), New Zealand (29.8) and Sweden (27.4). The US ranked first with 101,388 cases in terms of the total number of skin cancer cases in 2022, while Germany ranked second with 21,976 skin cancer cases, with an identical incidence rate of 16.5. In terms of the number of skin cancer deaths in 2022, the US again took the lead with 7,368 deaths, while Germany ranked fourth with 3,303 cases, behind China and Russia. The following graph also shows that a high incidence rate of skin cancer does not necessarily correspond to a higher mortality rate. Another reason for rising skin cancer rates could also be the fact that people spend more time outside in the sun. Even if they applied sunscreen, that was no guarantee that they used it as intended to protect their skin. The lack of current scientific studies further adds to the problem of reinforcing outdated narratives. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only began regulating sunscreen in 2011. All prior studies examining sunscreen use and the development of melanoma were likely conducted with products that did not offer the same level of protection as those currently on the market. But are people in countries with the highest rates of skin cancer cases such as New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Canada and the US really using more sunscreen, as users on social media have claimed? It is true that the global sale of sunscreen is on the rise. And according to the sunscreen industry, the revenue of global sun protection skin care is projected to reach about $13.553 million (€11.594 million) by 2028. The biggest markets are the US, followed by China and South Korea. And then there's the question of how people are using sunscreen. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 38% of people aged 15 years and over said they used SPF30 or higher on most days in the last month. However, 7% said they had experienced sunburn in the last week. Young people aged 15–24 years were more likely to experience sunburn in the last week (about 15%). A poll in the US by Talker Research, published in May of this year, found that less than half (41%) of the 2,000 adults polled said they wear sunscreen more than 60 days of the year. And 13% said they typically don't wear sunscreen at all. In Germany, about half of the people asked in an online poll from August 2024 said they would only use sunscreen in summer or when being directly in the sun. Sybille Kohlstädt, spokesperson for the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), warns against false conclusions due to a lack of valid data regarding sun protection. "In contrast to existing data on the growing global prevalence of skin cancer, there are no country-specific statistics that break down sunscreen use and relate it to skin cancer prevalence."

NBC Sports
17-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
NHL schedule release: What to watch for next season, from Matthew Schaefer to more Alex Ovechkin
The NHL released its 2025-26 schedule on Wednesday, 1,312 games set to be played from Oct. 7-April 16 before the chase for the Stanley Cup. Soon, there will be 1,344, with each of the league's 32 teams playing 84 games starting in 2026-27. But until that happens, here's a look at some of the best hockey has to offer next season: Schaefer's debut? No. 1 draft pick Matthew Schaefer is no sure bet to make the New York Islanders out of training camp. If he does, Schaefer would be in line to make his NHL debut on Oct. 9 in Pittsburgh against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins. Crosby, 38, is entering his 21st season. Schaefer turns 18 just a little over a month before opening night. Schaefer would be the second top pick in three years to start his pro career against Crosby on the road. Chicago's Connor Bedard also did so in 2023 on the way to winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. Full slates The back-to-back defending champion Florida Panthers are set to raise their second consecutive Stanley Cup banner as part of an opening night tripleheader on Oct. 7, and it will not take long for fans to see way more games on the same day. There are 16, with every team in action, for the first time this season on Saturday, Oct. 11. That happens again on Tuesday, Oct. 28 with game times staggered from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. EDT. Each of the three final Saturdays of the season features 15 games. Special events The Penguins and Nashville Predators face off in a pair of games in Stockholm on Nov. 14 and 16. The New York Rangers visit the Boston Bruins in the 'Thanksgiving Showdown' on Black Friday, Nov. 28. The first Winter Classic in Florida takes place Jan. 2 when the Panthers host the Rangers at the Miami Marlins' ballpark with a retractable roof. A surefire open-air game across the Sunshine State comes roughly a month later when the Tampa Bay Lightning play Boston in the Stadium Series at the home of the NFL's Buccaneers. The Islanders' UBS Arena is expected to hold a pre-Olympic sendoff event when the season pauses Feb. 6 for players to participate in the Milan Games. The event is in lieu of All-Star festivities, which are being rethought for future years after the success of the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February. Milestones in reach Alex Ovechkin is three goals away from 900 after breaking Wayne Gretzky's NHL career record in April. Whatever number Ovechkin finishes at — he turns 40 in September and this is the final year of his contract with the Washington Capitals — will become the new 894 that seemed unapproachable until the successful 'GR8 Chase.' Ovechkin has not closed the door on playing beyond his 21st season, but if this is it, game 81 is against Crosby in Washington. The finale is at Columbus against the Blue Jackets, against whom Ovechkin debuted in 2005. Crosby is 13 points away from becoming the ninth player in league history with 1,700. Ovechkin would be the 10th if he records 77. Three-time MVP Connor McDavid, coming off another Edmonton loss in the final to Florida, is far and away the leading scorer since entering the league in 2015. He's 18 points away from 1,100, while longtime Oilers teammate Leon Draisaitl needs 53 to get to 1,000.


DW
17-07-2025
- Health
- DW
Fact check: Does sunscreen increase skin cancer risk? – DW – 07/17/2025
Social media posts claiming sunscreen causes cancer are spreading fast—but experts and studies say otherwise. Can sunscreen protect from melanoma, or do they increase the risk of skin cancer? Posts on social media have popped up recently, claiming that applying sunscreen reportedly increases the risk of skin cancer. Even though ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the main cause of melanomas, and sunscreen helps protect skin by filtering UV rays, these posts claim that sunscreen itself is doing damage. Claim: "It is an indisputable fact that the countries that use the most sunscreen, have the highest incidence of skin cancer," said this X userin a post with close to 60,000 followers. "And the more sunscreen they use, the greater the prevalence." There are also TikTok videoswarning about sunscreen. DW Fact check: False "There is no scientific evidence that supports the association of sunscreen use with a higher risk of cancer," Brittany Schaefer, Public Information Officer with the Connecticut State Department of Public Healthtold DW. The X post attributed the chart to the Connecticut Tumor Registry (CTR), but Schaefer says that was inaccurate. "The original cancer incidence data likely came from the CT Tumor Registry decades ago, but not the added text boxes regarding sunscreens. We do not know the source of the actual graphic, but it was not from CTR or the Connecticut Department of Public Health," she said. But why is the number of global skin cancer cases on the rise, even though more and more people are using sunscreen? A study across several countries from December 2023involving scientists from the US, Switzerland, Germany and Hungary looked at five hypotheses to get to the bottom of this. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video According to the study, possible reasons for misunderstandings and myths around linking skin cancer risk and sun protection include access to better diagnostics and treatment methods, outdated scientific studies, erratic use of sunscreen and climate change. Rising awareness about skin cancer risks among both patients and doctors has led to an increase in reporting and documenting cases. In contrast to higher skin cancer incidence worldwide, the mortality rate has dropped due to better treatment options, says the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer. According to the World Cancer Research Fund, Australia had the highest age-standardized incidence rate of new cases in 2022: 37 new skin cancer cases per 100,000 people per year, followed by Denmark (31.1), Norway (30.6), New Zealand (29.8) and Sweden (27.4). The US ranked first with 101,388 cases in terms of the total number of skin cancer cases in 2022, while Germany ranked second with 21,976 skin cancer cases, with an identical incidence rate of 16.5. In terms of the number of skin cancer deaths in 2022, the US again took the lead with 7,368 deaths, while Germany ranked fourth with 3,303 cases, behind China and Russia. The following graph also shows that a high incidence rate of skin cancer does not necessarily correspond to a higher mortality rate. Another reason for rising skin cancer rates could also be the fact that people spend more time outside in the sun. Even if they applied sunscreen, that was no guarantee that they used it as intended to protect their skin. The lack of current scientific studies further adds to the problem of reinforcing outdated narratives. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only began regulating sunscreen in 2011. All prior studies examining sunscreen use and the development of melanoma were likely conducted with products that did not offer the same level of protection as those currently on the market. But are people in countries with the highest rates of skin cancer cases such as New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Canada and the US really using more sunscreen, as users on social media have claimed? It is true that the global sale of sunscreen is on the rise. And according to the sunscreen industry, the revenue of global sun protection skin care is projected to reach about $13.553 million (€11.594 million) by 2028. The biggest markets are the US, followed by China and South Korea. And then there's the question of how people are using sunscreen. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 38% of people aged 15 years and over said they used SPF30 or higher on most days in the last month. However, 7% said they had experienced sunburn in the last week. Young people aged 15–24 years were more likely to experience sunburn in the last week (about 15%). A poll in the US by Talker Research, published in May of this year, found that less than half (41%) of the 2,000 adults polled said they wear sunscreen more than 60 days of the year. And 13% said they typically don't wear sunscreen at all. In Germany, about half of the people asked in an online poll from August 2024 said they would only use sunscreen in summer or when being directly in the sun. Sybille Kohlstädt, spokesperson for the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), warns against false conclusions due to a lack of valid data regarding sun protection. "In contrast to existing data on the growing global prevalence of skin cancer, there are no country-specific statistics that break down sunscreen use and relate it to skin cancer prevalence."


Winnipeg Free Press
16-07-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Six week anxiety and worry program available, for free
Winnipeg Living with anxiety can feel scary and isolating, yet anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health issues. One in four people will experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. Fortunately, Manitobans struggling with anxiety have valuable resources at their disposal, and they're free. For almost 40 years, Anxiety Disorders Association of Manitoba (ADAM) has offered peer support and self-help programming throughout the province. Amber Schaefer is ADAM's intake coordinator. In her role, she takes calls and emails from a diverse range of people, of all ages and backgrounds, interested in programs and looking for information on how to manage anxiety. Supplied photo Bernadette Smith, Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness, and Scott McFadyen, executive director of Anxiety Disorders Association of Manitoba, at the Action Anxiety Day Rally 2024. 'I really appreciate that we are a peer-led organization here,' said Schaefer about the registered charity. 'All of us from ADAM have lived experience with anxiety. There is something special with people asking for support. There's a mutual understanding of what it's like to live with anxiety.' These days, more and more people are referring to 'mental health,' and though it may have become a normalized part of everyday conversations, Schaefer said the stigma is still present. 'People are getting more comfortable in engaging in conversations. This is a common experience. We relate to others' experience. But I think that there's still a lot of hesitancy in reaching out. People have trouble asking for help. We want to share the message that reaching out for support when you need it is a sign of strength, not weakness.' ADAM's anxiety and worry support program is a practical, evidence-based program for managing anxiety, worry, and low mood. Sessions cover anxiety, worry, uncertainty, thinking, arousal reduction and activity, and motivation. The six-week program is entirely free and is provided online via Zoom, or by telephone for people without computer access. The program is facilitated by experienced and trained peer support workers who have lived experience with anxiety. Participants work through readings and homework — including self-help exercises — which involves a time commitment of about one-and-a-half hours per week. 'It's been very valuable,' said Schaefer about the program, which uses cognitive behaviour therapy techniques. 'We've received a lot of positive feedback from people saying that it was life-changing to have the tools to manage anxiety and connect with other people who may have similar experiences.' Programs run in September, January and in April, with additional programs sometimes offered in July and August. For those who have completed the six-week program there is an ongoing online support group. Schaefer says ADAM sees an increase in anxiety during holidays, weather changes, and during world events that bring about a lot of uncertainty. Supplied photo Public education event for Pink Shirt Day 2025. Mondays A weekly look at news and events that matter in your communities. 'People can definitely be really impacted. It's important to be informed about what's going on in the world around you, but it's also important to make time for self-care,' she said, adding that fulfillment can be found in community involvement for those able to do so. 'We have some exciting programs coming out in the fall that will expand who we are reaching. We have coaching for confidence programs; for caregivers who work with children with anxiety; programs that are geared towards adolescents 13 to 18; and programs helping young mothers, postpartum,' she said, adding that peer support and self-help is provided through group and public information sessions that encourage understanding, solutions and empathy. 'We want to remind people that they're not alone. Help is available. Our focus is public education — making that information accessible to anyone. We are able to make helpful suggestions, help you navigate. We reach all Manitobans, and we have peer support workers in all corners of the province.' Last year, ADAM provided individual support to 97 individuals and to 639 through group support programs to Winnipeggers. Outside of Winnipeg, 834 individuals received support and 418 received assistance through group support programs. Over 200 individuals were provided with suggestions for support in their communities, and 2,685 people were reached through public education initiatives. Visit or find ADAM on social media. Janine LeGalWolseley community correspondent Janine LeGal is a community correspondent for Wolseley. Know any interesting people, places and things in Wolseley? Contact her at: janinelegal@ Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.