Thursday, March 14, 2013

How Tanning Beds Can Cause Cancer


Dr. Wendy Myers

The buzz about indoor tanning has been increasingly loud lately since a bill recently passed by the State Senate creating tougher age restrictions for teens who want to tan. With the warm weather approaching and Spring Break upon us, it’s time to reveal the hard truth about tanning beds.

How Does Tanning Affect the Skin?

Tanning beds emit UVA and UVB radiation, similar to and at times, greater than the radiation from the sun. UV radiation causes genetic mutations in your skin's DNA. Although UVB rays—the rays of radiation primarily thought to be responsible for skin reddening and sunburn— have been thought to be the main culprit in causing skin cancers, it is now known that UVA is also responsible.

Changes from excessive exposure to these rays lead to premature photo aging, eye damage including cataracts and increased risk of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers such as basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer.

Is Melanoma Deadly?

Melanoma skin cancer develops when the pigment producing cells of the skin called melanocytes are mutated, most often by UV radiation. These cells then divide rapidly and form malignant tumors. If recognized early, melanoma is often curable. Unlike other skin cancers though, if left untreated, melanoma can advance and spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body, where it can be difficult to treat and even be fatal. While melanoma is not the most frequent skin cancer, it is responsible for the most fatalities. 

What Are the Chances that Melanoma is Caused by Tanning?

The incidence of melanoma has continued to increase over the past several decades. In particular, a dramatic increase in women in their 20s and 30s has been noted. This patient population is more likely to participate in activities such as tanning booths and sun bathing.

70% of tanning salon patrons are girls and women between the ages of 16 to 29. Studies have found a 75% increase in the risk of melanoma in those exposed to UV radiation from tanning booths. This risk for melanoma increases with each use and is increased to 87% for those individuals who start tanning in beds or booths before the age of 35. 

There are many reality stars on TV who endorse indoor tanning as a way of life. But people need to realize the negative effects tanning can have that they don’t show on TV. For more tips on preventing skin cancer, please visit www.skincancer.org or visit the archive of our newsletter, Healthy Skin.


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