The Prevent Cancer Foundation Blog » indoor tanning

Tanning Beds Directly Correlate to Skin Cancer

PCF Admin — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 21:00:29 +0000

A major European study by the International Prevention Research Institute in France recently found extremely high rates of melanoma in young users of indoor tanning beds. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and is strongly correlated with exposure to UV light.

A number of studies conducted in northern European nations all concluded that increased UV exposure through indoor tanning beds is directly responsible for increased melanoma rates. Researchers warned health officials of the dangers of tanning bed use for future generations and encouraged tough protocols for the tanning bed industry. Some countries have used this information to enforce bans on tanning beds while others have tightened industry regulations to prevent unhealthy tanning practices.

Read the Full American News Article

Teens Banned from New York Tanning Beds

PCF Admin — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:44:35 +0000

New York’s Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed a law on July 16 prohibiting the use of indoor tanning beds by children ages 16 and younger. The law also requires 17 year olds to obtain parental consent before using indoor tanning beds.

Indoor tanning beds increase the risk of developing skin cancer and expose skin to harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation that is far more intense than UV radiation from the sun. The melanoma rates for young women are rapidly increasing, and they are the primary users of indoor tanning beds.

More than 2 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year however, 30 million people in the U.S. continue to tan indoors. The New York law seeks to protect young people from the heightened risk of skin cancer and prevents early exposure to dangerous UV radiation.

Read the full Medical News Today Article

Tanning Salons Mislead Young Customers

Jim — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:00:17 +0000

A recent Congressional report found that tanning salons have often been lying to customers in order to increase their business. From downplaying the risks of tanning to promoting health benefits that don’t exist, tanning salons are taking advantage of young ignorance to boost the $2.6 billion industry.

Investigators found that of the 300 salons contacted, ninety percent told them indoor tanning posed no health dangers. Seventy-eight percent said that indoor tanning would actually improve health- preventing arthritis, lupus and a variety of other diseases. Fifty-one percent denied that indoor tanning increases the risk of skin cancer.

Young women aged 16-to-29 are the most common customers of tanning salons, and unsurprisingly, skin cancer has been on the rise for women in their 20s. Certain Congressional members have been pushing for the FDA to reclassify tanning beds. The Tanning Bed Cancer Control Act, H.R. 1676 would charge the FDA with reviewing classification of tanning beds from Class I medical devices, which includes cotton balls and Band-aids, to a known carcinogen along with tobacco smoke, asbestos and uranium.

Read the full article at CBS News.