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Questions About Cancer? 1-800-4-CANCER

NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms

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sun protection factor  listen  (... proh-TEK-shun FAK-ter)

  A scale for rating the level of sunburn protection in sunscreen products. The higher the sun protection factor, the more sunburn protection it gives. Sunscreens with a value of 2 through 11 give minimal protection against sunburns. Sunscreens with a value of 12 through 29 give moderate protection. Sun protection factors of 30 or higher give high protection against sunburn. Also called SPF.