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Meta-Analysis
. 2002 Jul;92(7):1173-7.
doi: 10.2105/ajph.92.7.1173.

Use of topical sunscreens and the risk of malignant melanoma: a meta-analysis of 9067 patients from 11 case-control studies

Michael Huncharek  1 , Bruce Kupelnick
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Use of topical sunscreens and the risk of malignant melanoma: a meta-analysis of 9067 patients from 11 case-control studies

Michael Huncharek et al. Am J Public Health. 2002 Jul.

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined the methodology of epidemiological studies that suggest use of topical sunscreen preparations is associated with increased risk of malignant melanoma.

Methods: We pooled data from observational studies using a general variance-based meta-analytic method that employed confidence intervals (previously described). The outcome of interest was a summary relative risk (RR) reflecting the risk of melanoma associated with sunscreen use versus nonuse. Sensitivity analyses were performed when necessary to explain any observed statistical heterogeneity.

Results: Combining studies that used non-heterogeneous data yielded a summary RR of 1.01, indicating no association between sunscreen use and development of malignant melanoma.

Conclusions: The available epidemiological data do not support the existence of a relationship between topical sunscreen use and an increased risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma.

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