Introduction to the Claim
Contributions on social media have recently appeared claiming that the use of sunscreen increases the risk of skin cancer. Although ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the main cause of melanomas and sunscreen helps the skin by filtering UV rays, these contributions claim that sunscreen is causing damage itself.
The Claim
The claim states, "It is an undeniable fact that the countries that use the most sunscreen have the highest incidence of skin cancer." However, according to Brittany Schaefer, public information officer with the Connecticut State Department of Public Health, "There is no scientific evidence that supports the connection between sunscreen and a higher risk of cancer."
Misleading Data
The data shown in the diagram was incorrectly attributed to the Connecticut Tumor Registry. Schaefer said that the original cancer incidence data probably came from the CT tumor register decades ago, but not from the additional text fields in terms of sunscreen. The source of the actual graphic is unknown, but it is not from the CTR or the Department of Public Health in Connecticut.
Reasons for the Increase in Skin Cancer Cases
A study across several countries from December 2023 identified five hypotheses to explain the increasing incidence of skin cancer despite the widespread use of sunscreen. These include access to better diagnostics and treatment methods, outdated scientific studies, unpredictable use of sun protection, and climate change.
Global Incidence Rates
The World Health Organization reports that the increasing awareness of skin cancer risks in patients and doctors has led to an increase in reporting and documentation of cases. Australia has the highest age-standardized incidence rate, with 37 new skin cancer cases per 100,000 per year, followed by Denmark, Norway, New Zealand, and Sweden.
Outdated Studies and Increased Time Spent in the Sun
Another reason for the rising skin cancer rates could be that people spend more time outside in the sun. Even if sunscreen is used, it is not a guarantee that the skin is protected. The lack of current scientific studies also contributes to the problem of reinforcing outdated stories. The US Food and Drug Administration only started regulating sunscreen in 2011, and all earlier studies were probably carried out with products that did not offer the same protection as those on the market.
Sun Protection as a Lucrative Market
The global sale of sunscreens is on the rise, with the market expected to reach around €13.553 million by 2028. The largest markets are the USA, followed by China and South Korea. However, the question arises of how people use sunscreen. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 38% of people aged 15 and over stated that they use SPF 30 or higher on most days, but 7% stated that they had experienced sunburn last week.
Sun Protection is Often Only Used on Vacation
A survey in the United States showed that less than half (41%) of the 2,000 adults surveyed stated that they use sun protection for more than 60 days of the year. And 13% stated that they usually do not wear sun protection at all. In Germany, about half of the people asked in an online poll stated that they only use sunscreen in summer or when they are directly in the sun.
Conclusion
Sybille Kohlstädt, spokeswoman for the German Cancer Research Center, warns of false conclusions due to a lack of valid data on sun protection. "In contrast to existing data on the growing global prevalence of skin cancer, there is no country-specific statistics that link the use of sunscreen to the prevalence of skin cancer."
