Melanoma and Sunscreen
Melanoma is the second most common form of cancer for young adults aged 15-29 years old, and Doug Ulman, the founder of the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults, is a two-time melanoma survivor. The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults is deeply committed to educating people about skin cancer prevention and has a high school educational curriculum called “Ban the Burn”.
Overview
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, accounting for more than 75% of skin cancer deaths. Although it is completely curable if caught early, once it has spread beyond the skin it is extremely difficult to treat.
The American Cancer Society estimates that the lifetime risk for getting melanoma is 1 in 50 for fair-skinned people.
RISK FACTORS
Most people know that exposure to UV radiation is the biggest risk factor for developing melanoma, and will put on sunscreen when they head to the beach. However, UV exposure happens every day, and the effects can be significant. A recent study by the St. Louis University School of Medicine found that of the malignant melanomas treated in the university’s skin cancer unit, 76% were on the left side of the body - most likely from sun exposure while driving.
The St. Louis University study is a sobering reminder that sun protection needs to be a daily activity. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends wearing long-sleeved clothing when practical, and applying a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher every day.
Choosing your sunscreen
· Most sunscreens – even those labeled “broad-band” or “broad-spectrum” - do not adequately protect against UVA radiation, which doesn’t cause sunburns but contributes to the incidence of melanoma. To find a sunscreen that provides better UVA protection, check the gredients label for titanium oxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone, or ecamsule.
· A sunscreen’s SPF, or sun protection factor, refers only to protection from UVB rays and not UVA. Also, an SPF of 30 does not offer twice the protection of an SPF of 15.
o SPF 15: filters 93% of UVB radiation.
o SPF 30: filters 97% of UVB radiation.
o SPF 50: filters 98% of UVB radiation.
· The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit public health group, identified several common sunscreen ingredients as hazardous in its 2010 Sunscreen Guide.
o Oxybenzone (also known as Benzophenone-3) is a potential hormone disruptor that can affect the nervous system and has been linked to cancer in some laboratory studies; it also releases DNA-damaging free radicals when exposed to sunlight. It should especially be avoided for children.
o Vitamin A (listed as retinol or retinyl palmitate) is added to 41% of sunscreens because of its antioxidant properties. However, a recent FDA study found that vitamin A actually breaks down in sunlight and produces more damaging radical oxygen particles. In that study, tumors and lesions developed up to 21% faster in mice coated with vitamin A cream.
· There is no sunscreen that offers 100% protection from UV radiation, and all sunscreens wear off; remember to apply liberally every two hours (or after swimming) and to seek shade during the peak sun hours of 10 AM to 2 PM.