Could growth factors in TNS Recovery and other similiar products promote cancer?

Dr. Irwin
August 7, 2011
Hello, I really appreciate your Website and all of the helpful information that you provide! You really help people to take care of their skin. I have read about the TNS Recovery Complex, and I have used it, but one dermatologist who has written a book wonders if the growth factors could stimulate growth in cells that cause cancer? Have you seen this criticism and do you think it has merit? Thanks You!

That’s an interesting conjecture, isn’t it?  There have been no studies done on that particular question.  Anecdotally, I have a fairly large group of patients between 40-70 (skin cancer age) who have been using the product for approximately 5 years, and we’ve not observed any increase in skin cancers. 

The current thinking is, since skin cancers occur in an environment of unhealthy cells damaged by sun/UV light,  that as the cells gets healthier with protection from sun/UV light, use of retinoids (vitamin A creams), and antioxidants (also protective), fewer skin cancers will occur. 

It’s possible that if the serum growth factors (like TNS) promote the growth of healthy cells that it reduces skin cancers. There just isn’t any science relating to skin cancers and grown factors that I have seen.  Dr. I

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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Hi, I’m Dr. Irwin. I believe that consumers deserve a medically trained and unbiased skin care advocate.

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