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USE SUNSCREENS AS PART OF SUN SAFETY PROGRAM
SAYS AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY
SCHAUMBURG, IL (February 17, 1998) -- The American Academy of Dermatology urges Americans not to decrease their sunscreen use following a report this week at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) questioning the protective benefits of sunscreen.
The Academy reaffirmed its long-standing position that sunscreen is beneficial when used regularly as part of an overall sun protection program including wearing sun protective clothing, seeking shade whenever possible and avoiding peak sun hours (see Sun Safety Tips attached).
"Overwhelming evidence supports the beneficial effects of sunscreen usage, not only in preventing painful sunburn, but also in preventing photoaging and skin cancer, including many cases of melanoma. We believe it would be irresponsible to recommend that regular use of sunscreen be discontinued," said Roger Ceilley, MD, President of the Academy.
In the United States we are beginning to see a flattening out and/or lowering of the incidence of melanoma in certain subsets of the population where there has been a regular sunscreen use such as Caucasians in Hawaii.
Dr. Ceilley refuted the suggestion that long-term sunscreen users derived no benefit from sunscreen and that sunscreen may even increase skin cancer risk. "That would be like saying more people are using condoms and more people are getting AIDS, therefore condoms cause AIDS," said Dr. Ceilley.
"The study asked only about sunscreen use in the prior 10 years, whereas skin cancer typically occurs many decades after the damaging sun exposures. To be most effective, sun protection should begin in childhood and continue throughout life," said Dr. Ceilley.
"An overwhelming number of studies in recent years demonstrate that UV light causes DNA mutations leading to skin cancer and that sunscreens protect against the development of skin cancer in animals and humans," said Dr. Ceilley.
"The claim that chronic sun exposure may be protective because the skin becomes thicker as it has tanned, should be interpreted with caution," Dr. Ceilley warned. "Skin thickening and tanning are injury responses to UV damage. It is far better not to damage your skin by over-exposure to the sun in the first place."
It is projected that over one million Americans will develop skin cancer this year. In 1998, an estimated 9,200 people will die of skin cancer, 7,300 from melanoma alone.
As part of the Academy's commitment to a lifetime of healthier skin, it has developed a sun safety curriculum for young children to teach them about keeping their skin healthy now and for the rest of their life.
The AAD is the largest dermatologic organization representing over 11,500 dermatologists worldwide.
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