Wearing sunscreen may NOT prevent skin cancer, study claims

Scientists from Manchester and London carried out the world’s first molecular study into the way malignant melanoma is caused

Malignant melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer

Findings revealed SPF 50 sunscreen allows UV radiation through to damage the DNA in the skin’s pigment cells

They advise anyone who spends time in the sun to cover up



Sunscreen alone should not be used as protection, the experts warned



Experts claim that while an SPF cream (stock image) can stop the short-term effects of sunbathing, it allows enough rays through to cause potentially fatal disease in the long term

Wearing sun cream is not a reliable way to prevent getting skin cancer, scientists have warned.

A groundbreaking study into the way UV radiation attacks the skin has revealed that long-lasting damage is not stopped by sunscreen.

While an SPF cream can stop sunburn and the short-term effects of sunbathing, it allows enough rays through to cause potentially fatal disease in the long term.

Anyone who spends more than a short time in the sun should make sure they are covered up and should not rely on sunscreen alone, experts warned.

Scientists at Manchester University and London’s Institute of Cancer Research carried out the world’s first molecular study into the way malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is caused.

Their paper, published in the journal Nature, revealed that even highest grade SPF 50 suncream allows sufficient UV radiation through to damage the DNA in the skin’s pigment cells.

Dr Julie Sharp, of Cancer Research UK, which funded the study, said: ‘People tend to think they’re invincible once they’ve put it on and end up spending longer out in the sun, increasing their overall exposure to UV rays.

‘This research adds important evidence showing that sunscreen has a role, but that you shouldn’t just rely on this to protect your skin.’

Malignant melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, with more than 13,000 people diagnosed with the disease every year.

The scientists found that sunscreen could not stop solar radiation causing a mutation in the skin’s ‘guardian gene’ which produces proteins that protect against UV.

The researchers insisted people should continue to wear sunscreen, because while it does not provide complete protection, it can slow the cancer-causing effect of UV. But they said nobody should rely on sunscreen alone. Instead, people should also cover up when spending time in the sun (stock image)

With the gene damaged, the skin is vulnerable to further damage from the sun and more likely to develop a tumour.

Study author Richard Marais, of Manchester University, said: ‘UV light targets the very genes protecting us from its own damaging effects, showing how dangerous this cancer-causing agent is.

‘Very importantly, this study provides proof that sunscreen does not offer complete protection from the damaging effects of UV light.’

BREAKTHROUGH STUDY REVEALS HOW RADIATION ATTACKS THE SKIN The research team examined the molecular effects of UV light on the skin of 110 mice which had been genetically altered to be susceptible to melanoma. They found that the use of SPF 50 sun cream would delay the formation of tumours, but could not stop it altogether. Over a 15-month period they exposed the mice to weekly dose of UV radiation similar to that a person would be receive to if they spent an hour a week in a garden in southern England. The mice which did not have any protection each developed tumours after an average of 5.3 months, and within seven months every single one had the cancer. Another group of mice had their fur shaved and SPF50 sunscreen applied. These mice developed tumours after an average of 7.5 months, and each had grown melanoma within 15 months.



Professor Marais insisted people should continue to wear sunscreen, because while it does not provide complete protection, it can slow the cancer-causing effect of UV.

But he said nobody should rely on sunscreen alone to protect them from skin cancer.

He said: ‘This work highlights the importance of combining sunscreen with other strategies to protect our skin, including wearing hats and loose fitting clothing, and seeking shade when the sun is at its strongest.’

Professor Marais said the crucial finding is the impact of a ‘guardian gene’ called P53, which normally helps protect from the effects of damage caused by UV light.

He said: ‘We found that sunscreen does work by limiting the immediate effect of UV on the skin - it stops sunburn.

‘But sunscreen does not protect the skin completely - enough UV light sneaks past to cause long term damage to the DNA.

‘The important thing is the impact on the P53 gene, which is the guardian of the genome. Usually when you go out into the sun P53 activates the release of protein which protects against UV.

‘But solar radiation knocks out the guardian, it targets the very thing that defends the skin, and sunscreen cannot protect against that.’

The cosmetics industry insisted it had never claimed sun cream could stop cancer.

Dr Chris Flower, director general of the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association, said: ‘As cosmetic producers we never talk about cancer in relation to the product - we cannot talk about protecting against or stopping disease.

‘We never recommend that sun care products should be used to stay out in the sun longer, only as part of ‘sun safe’ behaviour, which includes staying out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, and covering up.

‘We can’t use the term ‘sunblock’ or anything that suggest there is 100 per cent protection. We can’t say total protection, the strongest term we can use is ‘very high’ protection.