Sunscreen ‘insufficient to prevent malignant melanoma’

Wearing sunscreen is not enough on its own to prevent malignant melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

A team led by the University of Manchester has examined the molecular effects of ultraviolet light on the skin of mice at risk of melanoma to see whether disease development was blocked by sunscreen.

It revealed that sunscreen can greatly reduced the amount of DNA damage caused by ultraviolet rays, delaying the development of melanoma, but did not offer complete protection, meaning there was still a risk of cancer.

The study also revealed that ultraviolet light is responsible for causing faults in the p53 gene, which normally helps protect from the effects of DNA damage.

Professor Richard Marais, study author and Cancer Research UK scientist based at the University of Manchester, 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."

Melanoma is relatively rare, but it is becoming more common, with almost 13,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the UK.