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

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 nonheterogeneous 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.