Scientifically speaking, it is unlikely that the difference was
due to chance alone. Some, however, were still wary of the
study's results. "The small number of skin cancers is
concerning," said Alam. "Different results might have been found
if they gave the antioxidants to younger people and followed
them for a longer period of time," said Mary Kavanagh, a
nutritionist at Case Western University in Cleveland. She adds
that many people do not develop skin cancer until they're in
their 70s. The other mystery is why the increased risk was seen
in women, but not in their male counterparts. The researchers
found no difference in skin cancer rates among the men who were
taking the antioxidant or placebo. They speculate that this may
be, "attributed in part to differences in nutrient metabolism."
Women, the researchers say, tend to have, "higher concentrations
of antioxidants in the skin," thought to be related to a higher
dietary intake when compared to men. "Women have thinner skin
than males, thus, ultraviolet d