The study was a randomized study with 588 men and women all of whom had solar keratoses that are the forerunners of skin cancer. Those who used SPF-17 averaged a net loss of about a half a keratosis, while those on placebo gained one. About 700,000 Americans each year are diagnosed with easily treated skin cancers. About 32,000 get melanoma that can spread quickly and is deadly unless recognized early. The incidence of melanoma has increased consistently over the past 20 years and felt to be because of increased sun exposure.
Study finds it a deadly mix.
The New England Journal of medicine this week reports on a study that shows that a handgun in a home almost triples the chances that someone will be killed there. The researchers looked at homicides from August 1987 to August 1992 in three metropolitan areas. About half of the deaths were due to gunshot wounds. Even in the 14 percent of the cases involving forced entry a gun in the home was found to be of little protection. The researches found that homicide in the home was more likely if there was a history of alcohol or illicit drugs or of domestic violence.