An investigational study to assess patient beliefs and informational sources regarding the safety and use of sunscreen

摘要

To the Editor, In recent years, the media has paid increasing attention to the safety and efficacy of sunscreens, generating confusion and fear in the general public and prompting comments from the American Academy of Dermatology and Skin Cancer Foundation. A prominent nonprofit organization has made public claims that sunscreens are toxic, can alter hormone levels, and cause birth defects and cancer, which have been perpetuated by the media. To ascertain the impact of these media claims on public opinion, we conducted a survey of 109 patients in a general dermatology clinic. Our results indicate that a majority of patients do not know about the validity of these assertions. In this article, we briefly review the relevant research behind these claims.