Sunscreen Use and Subsequent Melanoma Risk: A Population-Based Cohort Study

J Clin Oncol. 2016 Nov 20;34(33):3976-3983. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2016.67.5934. Epub 2016 Sep 30.

Abstract

Purpose To assess melanoma risk in relation to sunscreen use and to compare high- with low-sun protection factor (SPF) sunscreens in relation to sunbathing habits in a large cohort study. Materials and Methods We used data from the Norwegian Women and Cancer Study, a prospective population-based study of 143,844 women age 40 to 75 years at inclusion with 1,532,247 person-years of follow-up and 722 cases of melanoma. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate the association between sunscreen use (never, SPF < 15, SPF ≥ 15) and melanoma risk by calculating hazard ratios and 95% CIs. The population attributable fraction associated with sunscreen use was estimated. Results Sunscreen users reported significantly more sunburns and sunbathing vacations and were more likely to use indoor tanning devices. SPF ≥ 15 sunscreen use was associated with significantly decreased melanoma risk compared with SPF < 15 use (hazard ratio, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.83). The estimated decrease in melanoma (population attributable fraction) with general use of SPF ≥ 15 sunscreens by women age 40 to 75 years was 18% (95% CI, 4% to 30%). Conclusion Use of SPF ≥ 15 rather than SPF < 15 sunscreens reduces melanoma risk. Moreover, use of SPF ≥ 15 sunscreen by all women age 40 to 75 years could potentially reduce their melanoma incidence by 18%.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / epidemiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Norway / epidemiology
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk
  • Sunburn / epidemiology
  • Sunscreening Agents / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Sunscreening Agents