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Tanning dependence, skin cancer, SPF, misinformation—a deep dive into sunscreen

One in 5 Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetime. Regular use of sunscreen can reduce the risk. But lately, sunscreen has been taking a lot of heat.
Jason South
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Getty
One in 5 Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetime. Regular use of sunscreen can reduce the risk. But lately, sunscreen has been taking a lot of heat.

One in five people will get a skin cancer diagnosis by the time they are 70. That’s according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

There’s many things you can do to prevent skin cancer. Seeking shade during the hours that the sun's rays are the strongest, and wearing sun-protective clothing helps. And then, there’s always sunscreen.

But this iconic lotion has been coming under fire. Several social media influencers are claiming that sunscreen, the very thing that is supposed to protect us from skin cancer, has cancer causing ingredients. Today, on Where We Live, we separate fact from fiction when it comes to sunscreen, tanning and skin cancer.

Now we are hearing the sunscreen sold in the United States isn’t as effective as the formulas sold overseas. In early July, Sen. Richard Blumenthal encouraged the Food and Drug Administration to approve more effective ingredients in sunscreens.

GUESTS:

  • Stacey Mann: Sr. Development Manager at the American Cancer Society and a Melanoma Advocate living in Milford, Connecticut.
  • Dr. Kelly Olino: Assistant Professor of Surgical Oncology at Yale School of Medicine
  • Caroline Hopkins: Health & Science Reporter who recently reported on sunscreen for the New York Times 

Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

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Tess is a senior producer for Connecticut Public news-talk show Where We Live. She enjoys hiking Connecticut's many trails and little peaks, knitting, gardening and writing in her seven journals.
Catherine is the Host of Connecticut Public’s morning talk show and podcast, Where We Live. Catherine and the WWL team focus on going beyond the headlines to bring in meaningful conversations that put Connecticut in context.