New research suggests sunscreen alone is not enough to protect the skin from melanoma.
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, and about 76,100 new cases will be diagnosed this year, Medical News Today reported.
Sunscreen is often thought of as one of the key ways to prevent melanoma, but a recent study shows this may not be enough.
The study was conducted by The University of Manchester's Cancer Research U.K. Institute and the Institute of Cancer Research, also in the U.K.
The researchers looked at the effects of UV light on two-month-old mice with an abnormal BRAF gene, which increases the risk of melanoma.
The team found that UV light damages the DNA of pigment cells, raising the risk of melanoma. It also causes abnormalities in the p53 gene, which works to prevent DNA damage from exposure to UV light.
After applying sunscreen to the mice's skin the team found significantly lower levels of DNA damage, but the sunscreen did not provide full protection. Even with sunscreen abnormalities to the p53 gene were observed, even if at a lower rate.
"UV light has long been known to cause melanoma skin cancer, but exactly how this happens has not been clear. These studies allow us to begin to understand how UV light causes melanoma," Richard Marais, a scientist at Cancer Research U.K. said, Medical News Today reported.
"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," he said.
The only way to prevent this type of damage is to spend less time in the Sun and apply generous amounts of sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher.
"This research adds important evidence showing that sunscreen has a role, but that you shouldn't just rely on this to protect your skin," Doctor Julie Sharp, head of health information at Cancer Research U.K. said, Medical News Today reported.
"It's essential to get into good sun safety habits, whether at home or abroad, and take care not to burn - sunburn is a clear sign that the DNA in your skin cells has been damaged and, over time, this can lead to skin cancer," she said.
