Research proves sunblock prevents melanoma
Daily sunblock use can prevent potentially deadly melanoma, according to Queensland research.
“It provides the first scientific data that shows that sunscreen can be beneficial for melanoma prevention,” says Professor Adele Green from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research.
The research, which appears in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, recruited more than 1,600 people from Queensland as part of a trial that initially ran for four years.
They randomly assigned participants to either receive standard advice on how to use SPF15+ sunblock, or to were given sunblock along with careful instructions and supervision.
After 15 years, there were twice the number of melanomas in the group members who applied sunblock ‘now and then’, compared to the daily use group.
“We found that the group which was randomised for regular sunblock use had 11 while in the group that was randomised for sporadic sunblock use had 22 cases of melanoma,” says Professor Green.
Researchers say the findings reinforce the importance of using sunscreen but stress it’s just one part of preventing skin cancer.
