Does Sunscreen Cause or Prevent Skin Cancer?

Sunscreen is put to the test in a randomized controlled trial to see if it can actually prevent skin cancer.

The most exciting part of that study is the spontaneous regression of more than 100 precancerous growths in the sunscreen group. They completely vanished! Their body, even in an immunocompromised state, could heal itself once it just stopped being bombarded with so many cancer-causing rays.

UPDATE: We are currently testing the removal of the comment section across all video pages until October, and it will either be reinstated thereafter or removed permanently based on the results. Please feel free to continue your discussions by commenting on our YouTube channel and social media accounts, where we will have Health Support volunteers available to address questions.

Thanks for watching. I hope you’ll join in the evidence-based nutrition revolution!
-Michael Greger, MD FACLM

[RoughNeckDelta]

I hope Dr Greger will cover chemical vs mineral sunscreens.

[wadepatton]

I'm going to say this once again: SUN CLOTHING works great.
It's obvious where it is applied, it doesn't wear off--but may ride up. It starts/stops working immediately. And is very economical (can be purchased second-hand from many sources). It can also be used in conjunction with whatever SPF spray/lotion/creme you like for areas of exposure. AND after the sun gets low in the sky, you can take it all off-as desired.

[KarlMeyer]

I wear UPF clothing every time I go outside. It saves me a ton of time & money. I’ll usually only put sunscreen on my face

[npsimons]

Then there's people like me - who have had one basal cell carcinoma. I put on sunblock all the time when I was a kid. Must have been the sunblock, right? Couldn't have possibly been the family history of skin cancer I have, or the very large amounts of time I spent in the sun, in the desert Southwest, as a kid. And oh yeah, I didn't cover up, and didn't *always* apply sunscreen regularly or enough - I recall plenty of very deep burns.

So as an adult, I cover up as much as possible, after putting sunscreen on my face, neck and hands - sometimes I have to uncover my my face or hands while outside. But I got a hat with back and side covers *and* front covers, albeit the front cover is partly mesh. But the brim and sunscreen helps. Also stopping in the shade or at least turning my back to the sun.

[OlinaHeartfield]

Our bodies are miraculous. Just give it the smallest protection against harm, and it starts healing itself!!!

[rafnaegels]

What about toxicity of sunscreen?
Is there any concern?

[cypriano]

Hey, we want to know if the ingredients in sunscreen causes cancer, . We all know sunscreen prevents skin cancer. That is the crux of it, are you replacing one cancer for the other with the use of sunscreen.

[SashaXXY]

Hello. This is very interesting, but can you please follow it up with something concerning the relationship between sunscreen and vitamin D production? Thank you!

[wadepatton]

My arms and face show years of sun damage, but now I protect them since beginning to work out of doors every day. But only use SS on my face/neck and hands because I wear sun-rated long-sleeves and wide hats. I don't protect my legs (only exposed from top of boots to bottom of long shorts if at all) because I've never had a friend have skin cancers taken from their legs (always face, ears, head, neck). Only when boating or beaching do my legs/feet need protection. Long sleeves and hooded sun shirts are real game changers out here in the field.

[emmanuellacontopoulou]

Dearest Dr Greger, as much as I have huge respect for your work, it is important to differentiate the various types of skin cancer and the relationship with sun exposure. SCC and BCC (and the precancerous actinic keratosis) that you mention in the studies behave very differently from Melanoma, which is the really malignant skin cancer. Can you please refer to studies that put to the test the risk of Melanoma with sun exposure and not the other locally aggressive (but not metastasizing) skin cancers? Can you also comment on the fact that Melanoma can develop in parts of the skin that are hardly exposed to sun?
On the other hand, the risk from the lack of sun exposure to the overall health can be detrimental and I am glad to see that many people are asking you about this.

[Gtwood]

"Recent experimental studies have shown that sunscreen remains on the skin at the desired SPF for as long as 8 hours after a single application"
☺

[chiyerano]

Sunscreen helps to keep down precancerous growths on the skin. Not all sunscreens are made with the same ingredients. Some sunscreens are very safe and can be found on sites like EWG. Depending on where you live, you still may not be able to make enough vitamin D from sun exposure so vitamin D supplementation may be needed after you get your levels checked. Thanks for the upload!

[Ded-Ede]

When I’m at work I take 3 walks that are 10 minutes each.9am, 12pm then 3:30 pm. no sunscreen. I have dark brown skin. Some studies say some sun exposure is healing and healthy. No?

[FrankyA]

Those who didn't use sunscreen, did they check their diets? I have never and will never use sunscreen.
Sun exposure is important, and most people don't get enough of it.
Why is it that the rates of skin cancer have gone up since the use of sunscreen began in the 1970s?
When I feel I've had enough sun, I will use clothing or simply go inside.
By the way, I did notice that switching to a plant-based diet from 40 years ago (yes it's been that long) my skin tans a lot easier and I don't burn like I used to.

[Whymee]

Question: are there any concerning chemicals on sun clothing? I hear some clothes have carcinogenic synthetic chemicals on them

[RandyOm]

Tip: play Dr. G's videos at 75% or 50% speed to make it easier to take in his data.

[HoboGardenerBen]

I use clothing to provide shade. Sun hats not only protect the skin, they make it easier to see and keep insects from being able to get that spot on the top of your head. I am not going to use sunscreen.

[phillippinter]

I use a upf umbrella everyday. Wear long sleeves and jeans. Only sunscreen on my face and hands, i have to be extra careful bc I have light skin and use Tretinoin cream.

[duartemonteiro]

Could you provide links, and who paid studies.

[mindbomb]

What does this do to generating enough Vitamin D with your skin?