Sunscreen causes cancer??? Part 2

Benzophenones are another agent used in sunscreen that have been linked to carcinogenic effects. I found two studies addressing this issue.

Rhodes MC, Bucher JR, Peckham JC, Kissling GE, Hejtmancik MR, Chhabra RS Carcinogenesis studies of benzophenone in rats and mice.Food Chem Toxicol. 2007 May;45(5):843-51.

Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of benzophenone (CAS No. 119-61-9) in F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice (feed studies). Natl Toxicol Program Tech Rep Ser. 2006 Feb;(533):1-264.

These studies did show increased rates of cancer, particularly liver cancer... in MICE and RATS... WHEN THEY ATE BENZOPHENONE.

So, I would avoid feeding rates or mice benzophenone and avoid eating it myself. The FDA is funding more studies for benzophenone and other sunscreen additive research. It looks like we need a topical, human study to really judge the carcinogenicity.