Sunscreen Confusion Puts More Americans At Risk For Melanoma

By HealthDay Staff HealthDay Reporter

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, Senior Medical Editor, B. Pharm. Last updated on May 22, 2026.

FRIDAY, May 22, 2026 — Melanoma — the most serious form of skin cancer — doesn’t just happen at the beach or in a tanning booth.

It happens on the drive to work, while walking the dog or sitting by a window.

And most Americans don’t realize it.

A new survey from the Melanoma Research Alliance finds widespread confusion about sunscreen and daily sun exposure.

“We found that 80% of people knew that sun causes damage to the skin and increases your risk for melanoma and skin cancer, but less than a third of people practice sun safety every day,” said Marc Hurlbert, CEO of the alliance.

The upshot? Protection is inconsistent.

Only half say they regularly wear sunscreen outdoors. Just 38% use it during everyday activities. And a majority don’t realize that even short periods of sun exposure can add up to danger.

“So, we encourage people to practice sun safety every day of the year,” Hurlbert said.

The survey also found nearly 60% of people worry sunscreen chemicals may be harmful — fears often driven by social media claims.

“The [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] regulates sunscreens just like they do over-the-counter drugs, and so anything you can buy at your grocery store or pharmacy are safe and effective,” Hurlbert said.

In all, 33% of Black respondents think people with darker skin tones don’t need sunscreen, even though anyone can develop melanoma.

In 2026 alone, melanoma cases are projected to increase by more than 10%.

Protection is key to prevention.

“We recommend broad spectrum sunscreens that protect from UVA and UVB damage and SPF 30 or higher,” Hurlbert said

Knowing your body is key. Know what freckles, moles and spots you have. And know if they’re changing over time.

The survey, which included a nationally representative sample of 2,000 adults, was conducted online March 27 to April 1. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

Sources

HealthDay TV, May 22, 2026

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.