For years we have been told to stay out of the sun, paste ourselves with sunblock, sit in the shade and wear a hat. Now, it seems that we should be spending some of that time out in the sun, without the hat or sunblock, if we want to have a plentiful supply of Vitamin D and reduce our chances of developing cancer.

Experts are beginning to notice that sunlight protects from cancer at a significantly greater rate than the risks. We get Vitamin D by exposing our skin to ultraviolet rays.

Recent studies have found that the vitamin D you get from the sun protects you from lymphoma, colon cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and even - - - wait for it - - - skin cancer.

Why not just get our vitamin D from diet?

Well, it seems we are not very good at doing that. Getting it from the sun is much more efficient and reliable. Apparently, it is not easy to get the required amount of vitamin D from just diet.

How much sun do we need?

Experts suggest about three or four 15 minute sessions per week (no sunblock or hats).

Dr. Edward Giovannucci, from Harvard University, says the risk of death from cancer as a result of vitamin D difficiency may be thirty times greater than the risk of dying from skin cancer as a result of being in the sun.

The American Cancer Society is reviewing its sun protection guidelines.

The basic message seems to be that 'No sun Exposure is Not Good For You.'