The advice for the Class of 99 was to wear sunscreen, but the Environmental Working Group doesn’t think that’s such great advice, concluding that sunscreen does little to prevent skin cancer and in fact may speed up the rate at which cancer develops and spreads.

AOL reports the Food and Drug Administration has known about the effects but not reported them to the public. The FDA denies the accusation.

From the story:

In their annual report to consumers on sunscreen, they say that only 39 of the 500 products they examined were considered safe and effective to use.

The report cites these problems with bogus sun protection factor (SPF) numbers:

* The use of the hormone-disrupting chemical oxybenzone, which penetrates the skin and enters the bloodstream.

* Overstated claims about performance.

* The lack of needed regulations and oversight by the Food and Drug Administration.

The best sunscreen, of course, is a roof over your head.

Study: Many Sunscreens May Be Accelerating Cancer [AOL]

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.