Another British oncologist has rebuked the cosmetic dermatology industry’s sun-scare tactics, penning an article in the British press Tuesday encouraging people to get regular sun exposure to help them prevent all forms of cancer — even skin cancer.

Dr. Angus Dalgleish, a leader in British oncology and cancer research at St. George’s University in London, wrote in The Daily Mail today that sun scare campaigns have caused massive vitamin D deficiency and that he counsels patients to get regular UV exposure in a non-burning fashion to make vitamin D the natural way.

“Now I believe that rather than reducing the risk of skin cancer, following…sun-avoidance guidelines could actually raise it,” Dalgleish wrote. “That’s because we need sun on our skin to make vitamin D — ironically these campaigns may have made millions chronically short of it and put them at risk. Rather than reducing the risk of skin cancer, following these sun-avoidance guidelines could actually raise it. That’s because we need sun on our skin to make vitamin D — ironically these campaigns may have made millions chronically short of it and put them at risk.

“The sun’s effects might even protect against melanoma,” Dalgleish wrote.

Dalgleish joins British oncologist Dr. Timothy Oliver, who wrote an essay in 2009 in The Daily Mail that sun-deprived people should seek sunbed sessions in the winter to raise their vitamin D status.

To read the Daily Mail story click here.