This information could save your life.
If you slather on the sunscreen before you leave the house, this new research may be a bit disappointing. It turns out that sunscreen alone can't prevent skin cancer.
The new research, published in Nature, shows that sunscreen can greatly reduce the risk of skin cancer by preventing UV light from entering the skin and damaging DNA, but the sun's rays are so hot that sunscreen can't do all of the work on its own.
According to Dr Julie Sharp, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, getting into sun safety habits is an important part of preventing health problems:
"This research adds important evidence showing that sunscreen has a role, but that you shouldn't just rely on this to protect your skin. It's essential to get into good sun safety habits, whether at home or abroad, and take care not to burn — sunburn is a clear sign that the DNA in your skin cells has been damaged and, over time, this can lead to skin cancer.
It's likely more answers about skin cancer will come soon, but for now the message is clear: Slather on the sunscreen (until it's the only thing you can smell, basically), find shade during the hottest part of the day, and try to wear loose-fitting clothing. Your life could depend on it.
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