Researchers at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, Italy, suggest sunscreen use may increase the risk of melanoma because it may encourage people to spend more time in the sun. Their findings were reported in the December 16, 1998, issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Since a high number of moles in adults is a strong predictor of melanoma risk, researchers examined 631 European children 6- to 7- years old and counted the number of moles they had that were two millimeters or larger. The researchers then interviewed parents about their children's exposure to the sun, sunscreen use, and the use of clothing as protection from the sun.

About 5 percent of the children had never used sunscreen. About half who did use sunscreen used a product with a higher sun protection factor (SPF) than their parents, and about one-quarter of the parents bought sunscreen specifically recommended for children. Fifty-four percent of the children had had at least one sunburn.

After making allowances for sun exposure and characteristics such as skin type and eye color, the researchers found children with the most sun-induced moles often had the highest use of sunscreen.

According to the researchers, sunscreen may be associated with the development of moles because it encourages longer sun exposures. The study also found children who had less sun exposure, or those who wore protective clothing in the sun, had fewer moles

. "Use of sunscreen should not be an excuse for excessive sun exposure," said Michael Thun, MD, vice president for epidemiology and surveillance research for the American Cancer Society. "Rather, the combination of wearing a hat and protective clothing, avoiding the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and sunscreens with protective factors of 15 or higher are needed to reduce one's risk of melanoma and other skin cancers."

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