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Use of sunscreen and risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • Clinical Report
  • Published:
European Journal of Dermatology Aims and scope

Abstract

Background

The use of sunscreen is a key component of public health campaigns for skin cancer prevention, but epidemiological studies have raised doubts on its effectiveness in the general population.

Objectives

This systematic reviewand meta-analysis aimed to assess the association between risk of skin cancer and sunscreen use.

Materials & Methods

We searched PubMed, BIREME and Google Scholar from inception to May 17, 2017, to identify observational studies and controlled trials. We used a random-effects model for conventional and cumulative meta-analyses.

Results

We included 29 studies (25 case-control, two cohort, one cross-sectional, and one controlled trial) involving 313,717 participants (10,670 cases). The overall meta-analysis did not showa significant association between skin cancer and sunscreen use (odds ratio (OR) = 1.08; 95% CI: 0.91-1.28, I2 = 89.4%). Neither melanoma (25 studies; 9,813 cases) nor non-melanoma skin cancer (five studies; 857 cases) were associated with sunscreen use, with a pooled OR (95% CI) of 1.10 (0.92-1.33) and 0.99 (0.62-1.57), respectively. The cumulative evidence before the 1980s showed a relatively strong positive association between melanoma and sunscreen use (cumulative OR: 2.35; 95% CI: 1.66-3.33). The strength of the association between risk of skin cancer and sunscreen use has constantly decreased since the early 1980s, and the association was no longer statistically significant from the early 1990s.

Conclusions

While the current evidence suggests no increased risk of skin cancer related to sunscreen use, this systematic review does not confirm the expected protective benefits of sunscreen against skin cancer in the general population.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physiotherapy and Dermatology Clinic, Postgraduate Program in Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil

    Elizabet saes da Silva

  2. Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil

    Roberto Tavares

  3. Postgraduate Program in Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil

    Felipe da silva Paulitsch

  4. Postgraduate Program in Public Health and Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil

    Linjie Zhang

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  1. Elizabet saes da Silva
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  2. Roberto Tavares
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  4. Linjie Zhang
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Correspondence to Linjie Zhang.

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saes da Silva, E., Tavares, R., da silva Paulitsch, F. et al. Use of sunscreen and risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Dermatol 28, 186–201 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2018.3251

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