BRIAN WILLIAMS, anchor:
Lot to talk about here on the health news front. Two stories specifically to sort out. One involves a popular class of drugs available
over the counter
. The other involves something floating around the
Internet
about sunscreens. And for both Dr.
Nancy Snyderman
is here for a bit of a
reality check
.
Nancy
, this first on sunscreens came to our house in the form of an e-mail.
Dr. NANCY SNYDERMAN reporting:
Right.
WILLIAMS:
Article off the
Internet
. In effect, it said that one form of sunscreen can actually be worse be for you.
SNYDERMAN:
There was a mouse study 10 years ago that an environmental group has said pay attention because could vitamin A in sunscreens increase the chance of getting
skin cancer
?
WILLIAMS:
Actually do more harm.
SNYDERMAN:
And I
think the reality is, it's a mouse study. We're talking about human beings. I don't see any evidence or proof that the use of sunscreens causes or promotes
skin cancer
.
WILLIAMS:
But this a good time of year for the kind of annual sunscreen report to come out. People always need that primer, that reminder that after a certain
SPF
, isn't it true you're doing no good?
SNYDERMAN:
There are 500 products out there, and not all of them work as well, and there's a lot of hype because there's a big market share. So I think there's some guidelines. First of all, you have to go back to those labels. Look for something that protects for
UVA
and
UVB
rays. They cause
skin cancer
and yes, they cause wrinkles. Anything over an
SPF
of 50, you're probably wasting your money. Creams vs. sprays, even if you use a spray, you have to rub it in. And then reapply, reapply, reapply. And this is important for
people of color
.
African-Americans
and
Latinos
can also get
skin cancer
. If you have a suntan, it is, by definition, skin damage. Everybody, if you go out in the sun, put something on.
WILLIAMS:
Now the separate topic we mentioned at the top of the broadcast, a whole class of drugs, very popular, very well known. They were once prescription. They're now available
over the counter
.
SNYDERMAN:
For
GERD
, this
gastroesophageal reflux disease
. These are called proton pump inhibitors. You've seen ads everywhere. The
FDA
today as sought -- sounded a big caution primarily because in high dose prescription strength, over the age of 50, people taking these, there have been an increased risk of fractures, primarily wrist, bone and back. All they have said -- the
FDA
is saying, for anyone who takes these for longer than 14 days, at least check in with your doctor. Again, it's primarily for people who have taken them for over a year, people who are over the age of 50, and people who are on the high dose. But the
FDA
is broadening its precautions even for the over-the-counter just to say check in, don't take these things without checking with your physician.
WILLIAMS:
And what are some of these brand names?
SNYDERMAN:
Prilosec
is sort of the top of people's list. And, you know, I don't want to sort of...
WILLIAMS:
Use a broad brush...
SNYDERMAN:
...put a whole bunch of brand names in a...
WILLIAMS:
Right.
SNYDERMAN:
...in a dangerous spot. But you're going to know them. Anything for acid reflux over gastroesophageal reflex disease. Go to our
Web site
. We're going to have a list. But nonetheless, over-the-counters and
prescription drugs
, doctors are getting this advice tonight from the
FDA
to at least sit down and have the conversation.
WILLIAMS:
All right. Our chief medical editor, Dr.
Nancy Snyderman
, as always, thanks.
“ ”