Why sunburns as a kid and sunscreen later might both matter for skin cancer
Patterns of Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk: the E3N-SunExp Study
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
This study looked at how different ways of getting sun affect three kinds of skin cancer in women. Getting burned badly before age 25 raises risk for all three. Playing in the sun for fun (like on weekends) is linked to one type (BCC), while years of sun exposure are linked to another (SCC). Using sunscreen after age 25 was linked to more cancer—but it’s probably because people who use it stay in the sun longer, not because sunscreen causes cancer.
Surprising Findings
Sunscreen use after age 25 correlated with higher skin cancer risk.
Everyone is told sunscreen prevents cancer—this study flips that narrative by showing users had higher rates, challenging the assumption that sunscreen alone is protective.
Practical Takeaways
Protect kids like they’re porcelain—avoid sunburns before age 25 at all costs. Use hats, shade, and clothing first; sunscreen second.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
This study looked at how different ways of getting sun affect three kinds of skin cancer in women. Getting burned badly before age 25 raises risk for all three. Playing in the sun for fun (like on weekends) is linked to one type (BCC), while years of sun exposure are linked to another (SCC). Using sunscreen after age 25 was linked to more cancer—but it’s probably because people who use it stay in the sun longer, not because sunscreen causes cancer.
Surprising Findings
Sunscreen use after age 25 correlated with higher skin cancer risk.
Everyone is told sunscreen prevents cancer—this study flips that narrative by showing users had higher rates, challenging the assumption that sunscreen alone is protective.
Practical Takeaways
Protect kids like they’re porcelain—avoid sunburns before age 25 at all costs. Use hats, shade, and clothing first; sunscreen second.
Publication
Journal
Journal of Epidemiology
Year
2017
Authors
Isabelle Savoye, C. Olsen, D. Whiteman, A. Bijon, L. Wald, L. Dartois, F. Clavel-Chapelon, M. Boutron‐Ruault, M. Kvaskoff
Related Content
Claims (7)
Chronic ultraviolet radiation exposure is the primary etiological factor in the development of non-melanoma skin cancers, specifically basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which frequently occur on sun-exposed facial regions and can result in significant structural disfigurement upon surgical excision.
Being in the sun a lot over your whole life — not just on vacations — makes you much more likely to get SCC, a type of skin cancer.
People who reapply sunscreen all the time tend to get more skin cancer — probably because they stay in the sun longer, thinking they’re protected.
Spending lots of time in the sun on vacations or weekends is more likely to cause BCC than being outside during daily routines like walking to work.
Getting badly sunburned many times before age 25 makes it much more likely for women to get any kind of skin cancer later in life.