NEW YORK (October 22, 2003) – Skin cancer is one of the few cancers where the cause of the majority of cases is known – excessive sun exposure. At current rates, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, and over 1 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year alone. Studies have shown that adopting a comprehensive sun protection program can substantially lower skin cancer risk. However, the most common form of sun protection – sunscreen – remains the subject of heated controversy due to a number of public health questions currently under debate.

Speaking today at the American Academy of Dermatology’s (AAD) Derm Update 2003, dermatologist Darrell S. Rigel, MD, Clinical Professor, Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, addressed the top five burning questions about sunscreen and sun safety.

Question #1: Are Sunscreens Safe?
“The overall data suggests that sunscreens are absolutely safe, and I strongly encourage my patients to use them as part of their personal sun protection program,” stated Dr. Rigel. He went on to say that despite recent warnings to the contrary, there is no proof that sunscreens are carcinogenic, or cause cancer. In addition, studies confirm that vitamin D levels in sunscreen users are normal, thereby dispelling the myth that people should forgo sunscreen and seek unprotected sun exposure in order to receive their daily dose of vitamin D.

Question #2: Are Sunscreens Used Correctly?
Recent reports indicate that although the public may be using sunscreen, it is being incorrectly applied and is therefore not as effective as it should be. “The average person requires one ounce of sunscreen, enough to fill a shot glass, to adequately cover the exposed areas of the body,” advised Dr. Rigel. “However, the majority of people don’t use enough sunscreen to receive the level of protection that is indicated on the package. Many people also fail to apply sunscreen at least 15-30 minutes before going outdoors in order to allow it to be completely absorbed into the skin, and they neglect to re-apply it every two hours or after swimming.”

He went on to say that people should wear sunscreen every day, all-year round. This is true even on cloudy days, since 80 percent of the sun’s rays can penetrate clouds. It is also a little known fact that daily sun exposure, like the kind received inadvertently while driving a car or taking a walk, accounts for the majority of a person’s lifetime exposure, rather than time spent at the beach or pool.

Question #3: Do Sunscreens Prevent Skin Cancer?
This question has been the focus of ongoing research in the medical field, and scientists have found it difficult to directly establish a cause and effect for a number of reasons, including: lack of ability to go back and correctly determine the past sunscreen usage of test subjects; negative bias, meaning people are hesitant to admit they exhibited unhealthy behaviors and neglected to use sunscreen in the past; difficulty describing what the definition of regular sunscreen usage is (i.e. once a day, once a month?); variability in sunscreen components, such as different agents and Sun Protection Factors (SPF’s); and lack of high intensity sunscreens prior to the mid-1980’s.

According to Dr. Rigel, “What we do know is that sunscreens protect against the development of actinic keratoses (AKs), an early potential sign of skin cancer, and that they protect against the development of non-melanoma skin cancer in animals.” He went on to say that the risk of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is directly related to the number and intensity of sunburns a person has received over their lifetime, and that sunscreen usage has been shown to be inversely proportionate to this number.

Question #4: Do Sunscreens Increase the Risk of Skin Cancer?
“There are absolutely no studies that show a direct relationship between increased skin cancer rates and the use of sunscreen,” said Dr. Rigel. “What studies do show is that sunscreen is safe to use and should be considered an important ally in the fight against skin cancer.”

Question #5: What Will Improve the Effectiveness of Sunscreens?
Sunlight consists of two types of harmful rays – UVA rays and UVB rays. UVB rays can cause visible sunburn, while UVA rays penetrate deeper into the dermis to cause skin damage. There are sunscreens currently being developed that contain new active ingredients that are much more protective against UVA rays and may soon be available in the United States. New formulations are also being developed to address special environments and seasonal-related issues.

“A broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, re-applied every two hours or after swimming or strenuous activity, is only one component of a comprehensive sun protection program,” advised Dr. Rigel. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone follow these sun protection guidelines: Avoid outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the strongest; Seek shade whenever possible; Wear sun-protective clothing and accessories, such as wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses; Follow the “Shadow Rule” – if your shadow is shorter than you are, the sun’s damaging rays are at their strongest and you are likely to sunburn; and Avoid tanning beds.

The American Academy of Dermatology, founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of over 14,000 dermatologists worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin. For more information, contact the AAD at 1-888-462-DERM or www.aad.org.

Information provided by aad.org