Snake Oil for Skin Cancer

Several class action suits were filed during 2006 by plaintiffs alleging that major sunscreen manufacturers were guilty of selling snake oil to unsuspecting consumers. The plaintiffs alleged that the sunscreen makers misled them to believe sunscreens protected them against both UVA and UVB rays, but there is actually only UVB protection and no protection against harmful UVA rays. The lawsuits were bifurcated and are currently part of class action proceedings.

Significance

• According to an Associated Press article on April 24, 2006, as reported on msnbc.com, nine lawsuits were filed against sunscreen manufacturers, including Coppertone and Neutrogena. The suits allege that the sunscreen marketers were guilty of misleading claims through deceptive advertising by causing consumers to mistakenly believe they could endure prolonged exposure to the sun by using sunscreens. A Los Angeles attorney, in a lawsuit against the sunscreen companies, called the sunscreen products this century's "snake oil."

History

• The use of snake oil has its roots in Eastern medicine. As an alternative medicinal treatment, the Chinese used it to alleviate arthritis. Made of small amounts of fatty minerals from water snakes, during the 19th century it was introduced to Westerners by immigrant Chinese railroad workers who helped build the early railroad systems. These Chinese laborers may have provided snake oil to fellow laborers who suffered joint pains after a long workday.

  Within the next century, it was used by "quack doctors" and traveling salesmen offering miraculous wonder drugs to unsuspecting buyers. Once the buyers discovered they weren't cure-alls or snake oil at all, but instead camphor and stearic acid that didn't seem to remedy anything, the doctors and the salesmen had already fled town on their way to con others.

Misconceptions

• Since the leading cause for melanoma and other skin cancers is exposure to UV rays directly from the sun, many people rely upon sunscreens to help prevent skin disease. Manufacturers and members of the medical community state the plaintiffs should have known that sunscreen alone does not preclude incidences of skin cancer.

Benefits

• The American Academy of Dermatologists dismissed the "snake oil" claims as untrue and insisted there are many benefits to using sunscreen. The problem, according to dermatological professionals, is that consumers aren't using enough of the product and aren't using it frequently enough. Doctors stated that consumers may believe that applying sunscreens once in the morning may be sufficient to last throughout the day. However, prolonged sun exposure and swimming causes sunscreen to wear off, and it's important to reapply it regularly throughout the day, doctors advise.

Potential

• Sunscreen is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's rules regarding over-the-counter products. The FDA also recommends applying it regularly and generously, especially if you're using it in warmer weather and exposed to water. Using sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 guards against skin cancer.

  Furthermore, the Federal Trade Commission and the FDA have both considered new rules limiting sunscreen manufacturers to claims regarding sunscreen efficacy for UVB protection, but many new rules were not implemented because of free-speech considerations.