As summer gets underway, many of us will be heading outdoors to the beach, lake or swimming pool. No doubt, sunscreen will be among the essentials we’ll pack for a day of soaking up the sun and surf. And that’s good, right? Maybe. Key ingredients found in most sunscreens may not be protecting us from skin cancer, but rather promoting it.
Several studies have raised concerns over the potential link between retinyl palmitate— a synthetic vitamin A derivative added to sunscreens and cosmetics—and skin cancer. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been reviewing the data since July 2009, but has yet to provide a ruling, says U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, (D-NY).
Schumer is urging the FDA to make public their reviews and assessments of the data as soon as possible "so as not to undermine consumer confidence in the protective value and safety of sunscreen products."
“Considering the serious implications of the studies and the fact that consumers use sunscreen products to protect themselves from UV rays and skin cancer, consumers deserve to hear the FDA’s evaluation of the data immediately,” he said in a statement issued this week calling on the agency to provide final assessment on the ruling along with guidance and reassurance to consumers.
Studies from the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP) have suggested a possible link between skin cancer and retinyl palmitate, an ingredient added to most of the 500 top-selling sunscreen products for its skin-conditioning properties. It is also commonly found in many anti-aging products. Scientists at the NCTR and the NTP have been working diligently over the last decade at the FDA’s request to determine whether retinyl palmitate is safe to use in sunscreen products.
Use of retinyl palmitate has been restricted in Canada for use in cosmetic products. Ironically, retinyl palmitate “may cause you to become more sensitive to sunlight,” according to The Performace Leader, a health and beauty products review website.
In one study, tumors and lesions developed up to 21 percent faster in lab animals smeared in retinyl palmitate-laced cream than animals treated with a cream that did not contain it. While these studies have been completed for almost a year now, the FDA has not issued an assessment of ruling on either of them, Schumer said.
“Millions of Americans use sunscreen to keep themselves and their families protected from the dangers of too much sun. If the product they are using is doing more harm than good, they have a right to know,” Schumer said.
The FDA said on June 14, 2010, that it has no comment yet on Schumer's letter. But the agency responded to other potential sunscreen dangers, saying it is awaiting a final review of the 10-year-old findings examining whether nano-sized particles of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide used in many sunscreens can cause serious harm by accelerating skin cancer cell growth.
"It is premature to draw conclusions from the nano-particle study at this time," said Shelly Burgess, an FDA spokeswoman, adding, "The FDA will always take the necessary action to ensure consumers have access only to safe and effective sun protection products."
Although the debate regarding retinyl palmitate and skin cancer is likely to last longer than yesterday’s tan, one debate was settled long ago: UVB and UVA rays lead to premature skin damage and skin cancer. Dermatologists still suggest using a sunscreen every time we venture out into the sun, even for a relatively short period of time. As of June 1, 2010, the FDA’s sun safety web page still encourages sunscreen use.
Lynette Summerill is an award-winning writer who lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. In addition to writing about cancer-related issues, she writes a blog, Nonsmoking Nation, which follows global tobacco news and events.
Sources: Australian Government Dept. of Health and Ageing Therapeutic Goods Administration Fact Sheet: Sunscreen, available at http://www.tga.gov.au/npmeds/sunscreen-zotd.htm
U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration Fact Sheet: Sun Safety at http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm049090.htm
Senator Charles E. Schumer, Official Statement on Sun Screen Safety at http://schumer.senate.gov/newsroom