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Skin Cancer Vaccine: Promising, But Don't Skip Sunscreen

A New Weapon Against Melanoma Is In Clinical Trials


In early July 2026, Kara Nesvig wrote an article for Allure Magazine about the possibility of a skin cancer vaccine. The vaccine, produced by Moderna and Merck, is in clinical trials for use with traditional melanoma treatment (surgery, immunotherapy) to reduce the recurrence of the deadly skin cancer. 

As exciting as this research is, it raises an important question for anyone who's spent years building sun-safe habits: does a vaccine change how seriously we take prevention? Dr. Matthys weighs in below.

Dr. Matthys' Take: Don't Let a Vaccine Replace Vigilance

A skin cancer vaccine is an amazing opportunity to gain lifespan and health span. Science at its best helps people live better, longer. Yet, my fear, based on 25 years in clinical practice, is that people will read this article and become less vigilant protecting their skin in the ways already proven to be beneficial. 

It's in our nature to seek simple solutions, but our health just isn't a straightforward calculation. Whether we want to say it or not, melanoma has multiple factors: environment, behavior, and genetics. For example:
  • 5–12% of melanoma is inherited.  
  • Twin heritability of melanoma is the highest of any cancer (55-58%). 
  • UV exposure accounts for 75-95% of melanoma risk in light-skinned persons.

Don't Skip the Sunscreen 

Lifestyle modification to decrease sun (UV) exposure and therefore our melanoma risk is one of the most powerful tools available to us now. SPF, while not perfect, is a beneficial tool in our risk-reduction toolbox.

A vaccine could make high-risk users feel so invincible that they forget or abandon basic preventative measures like sunscreen. 

We can infer from medical studies that regular (aka daily) sunscreen use halves the incidence of melanoma (roughly) and reduces invasive melanoma by up to 70%. If the broader population applied sunscreen as it was used in the randomized trial, we could avoid maybe 10% of all melanomas. (To be clear, we don't have an accurate read on historical melanoma incidences.) 

How to Understand the SPF Number on Your Sunscreen

Most people really don’t understand what "SPF" numbers mean. "SPF 50" means that in a standardized test, it takes 50 times more sun exposure to sunburn on sunscreen-protected skin than on unprotected skin.

Still unclear? Exactly. THAT is why, somewhat ironically, sunburns are higher in people that use sunscreen vs people who do not. Why?

  • Sunscreen is often applied when longer UV exposure is expected.
  • Real world use of SPF doesn’t match the testing in the lab.
  • Real world use of SPF doesn’t match the number in the bottle.
  • Sunscreen alone is not a sufficient strategy for sun protection; It should be paired with shade, clothing, and timing. 

What This Means For You

Don't misunderstand me — I am 100% in favor of anything and everything that helps people live better, longer coming to market. Science and technology are powerful contributors to achieve that increased longevity and quality of life.

My point is if/when we get a vaccine for melanoma, let's not abandon behavioral and environmental actions within our control like using sunscreen, seeking shade, or covering up with hats and shirts. Vaccines in combination with known, preventive techniques give us a better chance to prevent a deadly disease that is related to sun exposure, behavior, and genetics. 

Beautiful, healthy skin starts with knowing. That's why I created BURUV. Let's Master the Sun™. Together.
— Dr. Matthys


Dr. Brian Matthys is the founder of BURŪV - a general wellness product, not a medical device. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition.

Sources:

Familial Risk and Heritability of Cancer Among Twins in Nordic Countries, The Journal of the American Medical Association, 2016. Mucci LA, Hjelmborg JB, Harris JR, et al.

A Population-Based Study of Australian Twins With Melanoma Suggests a Strong Genetic Contribution to Liability The Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2009. Shekar SN, Duffy Dl, Youl P, et al.

Prevalence of Sun Protection Use and Sunburn and Association of Demographic and Behavioral Characteristics With Sunburn Among US Adults JAMA Dermatology. 2018. Holman DM, Ding H. Guy GP, et al.

Reduced Melanoma After Regular Sunscreen Use: Randomized Trial Follow-Up Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. 2011. Green AC, Williams GM, Logan V. Strutton GM.

How Many Melanomas Might Be Prevented if More People Applied Sunscreen Regularly? The British Journal of Dermatology. 2008. Olsen CM, Wilson LF, Green AC, et al.

Application of Sunscreen — theory and reality Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine. 2013. Petersen B, Wulf HC.

Decision Tree Model vs Traditional Measures to Identify Patterns of Sun-Protective Behaviors and Sun Sensitivity Associated With Sunburn JAMA Dermatology. 2018. Morris KL, Perna FM.

Global Burden of Cutaneous Melanoma Attributable to Ultraviolet Radiation in 2012 International Journal of Cancer. 2018. Arnold M, de Vries E, Whiteman DC, et al.

Cutaneous Melanoma The Journal of the American Medical Association. 2025. Joshi UM, Kashani-Sabet M, Kirkwood JM.


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