Worried About That Tropical Sun?

Worried about getting skin cancer? Forget the French fries, and maybe even the sunscreen. A new study found no evidence that sun lotions do anything but prevent sunburn.

Many dermatologists rejected the conclusion, but the author of the study, epidemiologist Dr. Marianne Berwick of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, said that her own study of 1,200 people in Connecticut and a review of nine other studies suggest sunscreens just don't do much about cancer one way or another. But using sunscreens "probably can't hurt."

Her advice: "If you are high risk, stay out of the sun." People at the greatest risk for skin cancer are those with the lightest skin, hair, and eyes. Those who also have a large number of moles have an even greater risk of melanoma. If found when it is restricted to one spot, usually an irregular mole, melanoma is highly curable, but treatment is much less successful if it has spread to other organs. It may take 20 years or more after sun exposure for melanoma to develop.

Several dermatologists strongly disagreed with Berwick. "Until there is proof that sunscreens are ineffective, it would be irresponsible to discontinue recommendations about using sunscreens," said Dr. Darrell Rigel of New York University.

At a meeting of dermatologists in March, Dr. Harvey Arbesman, professor of dermatology at the University of Buffalo, said that "people who sunburn easily and people who are out in the sun a lot should be especially conscious of diet." One million new skin cancers are diagnosed each year, and 96 percent could be influenced by proper diet, researchers said.

At-risk patients and those already diagnosed with skin cancer should lower their fat intake and consume food with more antioxidants: beta carotene, found in carrots, broccoli, and spinach; selenium, found in whole wheat flour, mushrooms, and tuna; and vitamin C, found in red and green peppers, oranges, and cranberries.

Arbesman said that dermatologists have been slow to recognize the importance of diet despite some 50 studies linking diet and cancer.