PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Planta, Margaret B.
TI  - Sunscreen and Melanoma: Is Our Prevention Message Correct?
AID  - 10.3122/jabfm.2011.06.100178
DP  - 2011 Nov 01
TA  - The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
PG  - 735--739
VI  - 24
IP  - 6
4099  - http://www.jabfm.org/content/24/6/735.short
4100  - http://www.jabfm.org/content/24/6/735.full
SO  - J Am Board Fam Med2011 Nov 01; 24
AB  - Many primary care providers advise patients to use sunscreen as a means to reduce their risk for skin cancer, especially cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). Despite the availability and promotion of sunscreen for decades, the incidence of CMM continues to increase in the U.S. at a rate of 3% per year. There currently is little evidence that sunscreens are protective against CMM. A number of studies suggest that the use of sunscreen does not significantly decrease the risk CMM, and may actually increase the risk of CMM and sunburns. This paper discusses current information regarding the relationship between sunscreen use and CMM, and how providers may need to alter their advice regarding sunscreen use for CMM prevention.