The claim: Sunscreens can increase the risk of melanoma.
The facts: Is it possible that a product meant to protect against skin cancer might actually cause it?
Several intriguing studies have investigated claims that zinc oxide and other compounds in some sunscreens might have harmful effects. Some laboratory studies, for example, have shown that zinc oxide and titanium oxide -- intended to block ultraviolet rays -- can create free radicals in the presence of sunlight, leading to cell damage. Others point to research showing a general rise in melanoma cases over the years, particularly in people who use sunscreen.
But that may be misleading. For these compounds to cause harm, they must penetrate skin cells, and research by health officials in Australia, with one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, found that doesn't happen.
In other studies, researchers followed thousands of people, looking for connections between melanoma and sunscreen. They found no evidence of greater risk. They also noted that people who sunbathe often or have greater sun sensitivity are more likely to use sunscreen, possibly explaining the associations in earlier studies.
The bottom line: Studies suggest that zinc oxide and other compounds in sunscreen do not damage cells or increase melanoma risk.
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