An international evaluation of the cancer-preventive potential of sunscreens.

The IARC convened a working group of experts in Lyon, France, on 10-18 April, 2000, to evaluate the cancer-preventive activity of sunscreens and to compile the fifth volume of the IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention. The working group concluded that the topical use of sunscreens reduces the risk of sunburn in humans and that sunscreens probably prevent squamous-cell carcinoma of the skin when used mainly during unintentional sun exposure. No conclusion can be drawn about the cancer-preventive activity of topical use of sunscreens against basal-cell carcinoma and cutaneous melanoma. Use of sunscreens can extend the duration of intentional sun exposure, such as sunbathing. Such an extension may increase the risk for cutaneous melanoma. The working group warned against relying solely on sunscreens for protection from UV radiation.

Vainio H ，Miller AB ，Bianchini F 《INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER》

Cancer-preventive effects of sunscreens are uncertain.

Vainio H ，Bianchini F 《SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF WORK ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH》

Sunscreens in melanoma and skin cancer prevention.

Gallagher RP 《-》

Do suncreens protect us?

Sunlight stimulates a multitude of important biological effects on skin, causing, amongst other pathological changes, photocarcinogenesis. Sunscreens are designed to provide protection against these harmful properties of ultraviolet radiation, and public health campaigns have been employed to encourage their use. Despite this, there has been a continued rise in the incidence and mortality of the most harmful skin cancer, malignant melanoma. This review article therefore looks at the role of ultraviolet radiation in causing skin cancer; summarizes the available evidence on both the beneficial and harmful effects of sunscreen use; and concludes with practical advice on how we might advise our patients to best protect themselves from photocarcinogenesis.

Maslin DL 《-》

[Sunscreens. Protection against skin cancers and photoaging].

Wolf P 《HAUTARZT》