A review by the University of Iowa found flaws in reports that determined using sunscreen could lead to an increased risk of skin cancer. Marta VanBeek is a doctor and dermatologist at University Hospitals who co-authored the review. She says they decided to review the work after various studies report the link between sunscreen and melanoma. She says biologically it didn’t make sense, and epidemiologically it didn’t make sense and she says if it was the case, then the public health message was all wrong. VanBeek says the sunscreen studies overlooked an important variable.She says the studies that thought there was a higher rate of melanoma for people who used sunscreen, did not account for the fact that people who use sunscreen at already at an increased risk for melanoma. VanBeek says that was a key omission in the studies.She says blonde-haired blue-eyed and red-haired green-eyed people are most likely to use sunscreen. She says those people irrelevant of sunscreen are at increased risk for melanoma. VanBeek says when you adjust in the increase sun sensitivity, she says it become clear that sunscreen does not contribute to the risk for melanoma. While sunscreen won’t increase your risk for skin cancer, VanBeek says it’s also not a perfect solution for protecting you from the sun. She says some people who wouldn’t stay out in the sun as long are doing so because they have sunscreen on. She says they don’t want some people to use sunscreen as a reason to get more sun exposure. VanBeek says sunscreen is rarely applied at a rate that will provide perfect protection due to a number of factors. And she says you need to constantly reapply the sunscreen to make sure you’re getting the best coverage.
