Women do so more than men, but still fall short of recommendations, CDC study finds
By Carrie Myers
HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, May 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Most Americans still don't regularly use sunscreen to help prevent exposure to the sun's cancer-causing rays, a new study reveals.
When used as recommended, sunscreen has been shown to reduce risk for all types of skin cancer and prevent or delay signs of aging, the researchers explained. But their 2013 survey found only 14 percent of men and 30 percent of women regularly use sunscreen both on their face and other exposed skin.
The study also showed that more than 40 percent of men and 27 percent of women never use sunscreen on their face or other areas of exposed skin when outdoors for an hour or more.
Women are probably ahead of the game since many face creams contain sun protection factor (SPF), said Dawn Holman, a behavioral scientist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and lead author of the study.
But even if they are more knowledgeable and diligent about using sun protection, more work is needed to educate both women and men about the harms of excess sun exposure, said Dr. Deborah Sarnoff, vice president of the Skin Cancer Foundation.
The overwhelming majority of melanomas -- the deadliest form of skin cancer -- and non-melanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, Sarnoff said.
That's why daily sun protection is critical, she said.
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends adopting a complete sun protection regimen. "That includes seeking shade, covering up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses, in addition to daily sunscreen use," Sarnoff said.
Dermatologists generally recommend sunscreen that is broad-spectrum, has an SPF of 30 or higher and is water-resistant.
"It might also be a good idea to check the expiration date, just to make sure it won't expire before you plan to use it," added Holman.
The new study, published in the May issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, also found that nearly 40 percent of sunscreen users were unsure whether their sunscreen provided broad-spectrum protection.
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