This feels like a case where the writer wants to be able to say sunscreen prevents cancer, so she glosses over the non-existent data to do so.
The fact is, we DO NOT have any evidence that using sunscreen prevents skin cancer.
It DOES prevent sunburn (and who wants sunburn?) and it MAY prevent unsightly skin damage (wrinkles), but don't rely on it to prevent cancer.
Indeed, there is no evidence that sun exposure causes skin cancer. UV radiation does, but genetics, age, and ones overall immune health play big roles, too. AND the kind on skin cancer matters, too. UV damages skin, which causes Basal cell carcinomas, not melanomas. Melanomas are the kind that kill. Basal cell carcinoma is easily removed and rarely turns into melanoma.
My mother's best friend died from melanoma. She loved gardening, and the black patch appeared on her left forearm, the part that faces the sun while working in the garden. Her doctors did eventually remove the black patch, but apparently they were too late.
This feels like a case where the writer wants to be able to say sunscreen prevents cancer, so she glosses over the non-existent data to do so.
The fact is, we DO NOT have any evidence that using sunscreen prevents skin cancer.
It DOES prevent sunburn (and who wants sunburn?) and it MAY prevent unsightly skin damage (wrinkles), but don't rely on it to prevent cancer.
Indeed, there is no evidence that sun exposure causes skin cancer. UV radiation does, but genetics, age, and ones overall immune health play big roles, too. AND the kind on skin cancer matters, too. UV damages skin, which causes Basal cell carcinomas, not melanomas. Melanomas are the kind that kill. Basal cell carcinoma is easily removed and rarely turns into melanoma.
I'd expect better from this source!
I've seen some pretty destructive basal cells.
My mother's best friend died from melanoma. She loved gardening, and the black patch appeared on her left forearm, the part that faces the sun while working in the garden. Her doctors did eventually remove the black patch, but apparently they were too late.