While writing one of the installments for my radio show this past weekend I came across some alarming statistics concerning tanning booth use and melanoma. I’ve known about the possible connection for some time but it really struck me as to what a serious problem this is. And unfortunately the most affected group appears to be young females who might not be making decisions based on the most reliable information. Couple this with a dose of feeling bullet proof and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.

A recent study from the University of Minnesota found that there is strong evidence that ”indoor tanning increases the risk for melanoma and should be avoided.” In 2006 the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer stated that there was only a weak association between indoor tanning and the risk of developing melanoma. Recently the group changed their stance and now calls tanning devices carcinogenic.

The tanning industry is a big money maker and of course they refute the findings of the latest study saying that the lead researcher was not a neutral party. One of the main concerns of the authors was the same as mine. That the main users of the indoor tanning devices are teens. The study noted that in looking at 116 American cities the average number of tanning salons surpassed the average number of Starbucks or McDonalds!

To tan or not to tan. Indoor tanning appears to be a serious public health problem. As mentioned by the authors of the study it needs to be addressed in schools much like obesity and smoking. There is talk of possibly making it unlawful for anyone below the age of 18 to use tanning salons. At least not without parental consent. Do we need more laws or just allow common sense to prevail? While I hate more laws it doesn’t appear that common sense is working very well.  bjmdjd

Material modifications since posting: none

indoor tanning · melanoma · tanning booths · University of Minnesota