Sunscreen is suspected to cause cancer

Question

This claim is somewhat correct based on the University of Nebraska Health Center article that states, "High levels of benzene, a cancer-causing chemical, were reportedly found in several sunscreens, leaving some questioning if sunscreen can do more harm than good." This article discusses how this evidence was found from one study and it not validated yet. Because this evidence hasn't been fully proven yet, this claim is somewhat correct, but is not misinformation. This claim is backed up by the credible source of the University of Nebraska Health Center.

Answer 1

This is exaggerated because there has been no proof that sunscreen causes cancer. Instead, sunscreen is known to prevent skin cancer through protection of UV lights from the sun. Though there are some chemicals that may raise questions in the production of sunscreen, such as oxybenzone, they have been researched and deemed safe by the FDA. The FDA has certain requirements that sunscreens have to meet before being distributed to the public.

Comments

Just to play devil's advocate, CNN reported that nearly a third of FD-approved drugs have had issues with them. So getting an FDA stamp of approval may not mean as much as one might think? https://www.cnn.com/2017/05/09/health/fda-approval-drug-events-study/index.html

Answer 2

Studying wether chemicals in sunscreen can increase risk of cancer is a tricky subject. It's a prime example of confounding variables.

People who use more sunscreen do develop cancer at higher rates, but this is because people who use sunscreen are in the sun more. So while it may seem that the sunscreen is leading to cancer, it is actually the increased sun exposure. 

Studies have shown that using sunscreen reduces risk of cancer, compared to not using sunscreen and get the same sun exposure. 

https://www.nationalacademies.org/based-on-science/sunscreen-does-not-cause-skin-cancer

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4402823/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673698121682

Answer 3

According to an article by USA Today, "sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer by blocking UV rays. While additional research is needed into ingredients that leached into some sunblock in manufacturing lately, experts say the safety and effectiveness of sunblock has been repeatedly demonstrated in studies."

UV rays from the sun can cause skin cancer, but sunscreen itself does not lead to cancer.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2022/06/15/fact-check-evidence-shows-sunscreen-safe-and-effective/9812795002/

Answer 4

This claim is misleading even though there is some truth behind it. I looked into where this claim came from and found that concerns are mostly about certain ingredients in some sunscreens, not sunscreen in general causing cancer. I found a website called EWG and it is an Environmental Working Group, and talks about possible concerns with some chemicals, but that does not mean all sunscreen is dangerous. This claim does not talk about how sunscreen was made to protect your skin from the sun. This claim makes it sound like all sunscreen causes cancer which is exaggerated. Based on the evidence I already have known and what I found I would say this claim is somewhat true, bur mostly misleading.

Citation:

The trouble with sunscreen ingredients | EWG’s guide to Sunscreens. (n.d.). http://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/