Spring Break
Tanning beds linked to increase chance of getting cancer
Carla Mancebo
Issue date: 4/5/07 Section: News
Young adults who use tanning beds have a substantially higher risk of developing melanoma, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
"Teens are not concerned with the long term damage," said Adrian Rodriguez, associate professor of biological sciences. "What they don't know is some cancers like melanoma can be in the developmental process for 20 years."
In a review of scientific studies from 1992 to 2006, the international agency found that exposure to tanning beds before age 35 increased the chance of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, by 75 percent.
Professor Rodriguez said tanning booth filters don't have the ability to separate out all UVC and UVB rays, the most energetic and most dangerous types of ultraviolet light.
Paula Silva, a junior majoring in social science has never been in a tanning bed because she thinks it is unnatural.
"I don't think girls know the risk," Silva said. "If they did they wouldn't go."
The review printed in the International Journal of Cancer also concluded that use of sun beds has a detrimental effect on the skin's immune response and does not protect against skin damage from subsequent sun exposure.
Romica Chandra a sophomore majoring in nutritional science, said she knows of girls who use tanning beds to prepare their skin for future sun bathing but believes sun block is a more effective way to prevent skin damage from sun light.
"It is like frying your skin," Chandra said about tanning booths.
Chandra also said women who go to tanning salons are self-conscious and try it without thinking of the consequences because of the popularity of tanned skin in today's culture.
Since tanning beds are a recent trend and measuring UV levels in indoor tanning appliances is inexact, the current study may have not revealed all the possible risk because of inconsistencies in the epidemiological studies, the researchers said.
Not all women are against tanning beds. Elvira Hernandez, a senior majoring in psychology, has artificially tanned but says she will not be swayed into not going by the media, only concrete scientific evidence of its danger.
"I went for a month session," Hernandez said. "I liked the results; it was almost soothing, the heat felt nice."
According to Professor Rodriguez believes tanning booths increases the probability of melanoma but says the No. 1 risk factor in determining a person's chance of developing melanoma is a severe burn at a young age.
He also said people who are fair are more prone to develop skin cancer.
Professor Rodriguez said the best way to prevent the skin disease that is a series of genetic mutations of cells that produce pigment is to use sun block all-year round.
Statistical information from the National Cancer Institute
BY THE NUMBERS:
-- In 2007 8,110 people died from melanoma in the U.S.
-- In 2007 59,940 new cases have been reported in the U.S.
-- In 2006 53,600 people died of melanoma in the U.S.
-- Melanomas, or cancerous moles, are usually larger than ΒΌ inch in diameter
"Teens are not concerned with the long term damage," said Adrian Rodriguez, associate professor of biological sciences. "What they don't know is some cancers like melanoma can be in the developmental process for 20 years."
In a review of scientific studies from 1992 to 2006, the international agency found that exposure to tanning beds before age 35 increased the chance of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, by 75 percent.
Professor Rodriguez said tanning booth filters don't have the ability to separate out all UVC and UVB rays, the most energetic and most dangerous types of ultraviolet light.
Paula Silva, a junior majoring in social science has never been in a tanning bed because she thinks it is unnatural.
"I don't think girls know the risk," Silva said. "If they did they wouldn't go."
The review printed in the International Journal of Cancer also concluded that use of sun beds has a detrimental effect on the skin's immune response and does not protect against skin damage from subsequent sun exposure.
Romica Chandra a sophomore majoring in nutritional science, said she knows of girls who use tanning beds to prepare their skin for future sun bathing but believes sun block is a more effective way to prevent skin damage from sun light.
"It is like frying your skin," Chandra said about tanning booths.
Chandra also said women who go to tanning salons are self-conscious and try it without thinking of the consequences because of the popularity of tanned skin in today's culture.
Since tanning beds are a recent trend and measuring UV levels in indoor tanning appliances is inexact, the current study may have not revealed all the possible risk because of inconsistencies in the epidemiological studies, the researchers said.
Not all women are against tanning beds. Elvira Hernandez, a senior majoring in psychology, has artificially tanned but says she will not be swayed into not going by the media, only concrete scientific evidence of its danger.
"I went for a month session," Hernandez said. "I liked the results; it was almost soothing, the heat felt nice."
According to Professor Rodriguez believes tanning booths increases the probability of melanoma but says the No. 1 risk factor in determining a person's chance of developing melanoma is a severe burn at a young age.
He also said people who are fair are more prone to develop skin cancer.
Professor Rodriguez said the best way to prevent the skin disease that is a series of genetic mutations of cells that produce pigment is to use sun block all-year round.
Statistical information from the National Cancer Institute
BY THE NUMBERS:
-- In 2007 8,110 people died from melanoma in the U.S.
-- In 2007 59,940 new cases have been reported in the U.S.
-- In 2006 53,600 people died of melanoma in the U.S.
-- Melanomas, or cancerous moles, are usually larger than ΒΌ inch in diameter
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Joe Schuster
posted 4/06/07 @ 8:21 AM PST
Dear Spartan;
My response centers on three areas of this story.
1.).."In a review of scientific studies from 1992 to 2006, the international agency found that exposure to tanning beds before age 35 increased the chance of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, by 75 percent. (Continued…)
Jim
posted 4/08/07 @ 10:27 PM PST
Professor Rodriguez and the International Agency for Research on Cancer are ignoring the conclusions of a study published in the medical journal "Cell" by Dr. (Continued…)
Joe Schuster
posted 4/09/07 @ 11:08 AM PST
A few points to consider:
1.) You claim ..."Since tanning beds are a recent trend and measuring UV levels in indoor tanning appliances is inexact, the current study may have not revealed all the possible risk because of inconsistencies in the epidemiological studies, the researchers said". (Continued…)
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