Tanning Beds And Skin Cancer

There is now a confirmed link between tanning beds and skin cancer?

Of all the recognised causes of skin cancer, skin tanning from a solarium is now confirmed as a leading cause of skin cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer IARC) now confirms that any form of UV tanning is definetely carcinogenic to humans and believes it is as serious as cigarette smoke or asbestos.

How surprising though that the UK's Sunbed Association said there was no proven link providing that the use of tanning beds was responsible.

The IARC is a well recognised institution that makes recommendations to the Word Health Organisation (WHO). They have concluded through several studies that the risk of deadly melanoma can increase by an alarming 75% in people who began their use of sunbeds before the age of thirty. I am relieved that the use of sunbeds has been upgraded to a very high risk category for the development of skin cancer.

Tanning Beds And Skin Cancer

Tanning beds use type A ultraviolet rays to induce the production of melanin on the skin, which is a type of pigment resulting in the tanned look. For years, studies have been made on the harmful effects of UV rays on the skin, and doctors are now ready to announce that even UV rays found in tanning beds are as harmful. In most instances, the use of tanning beds is aggravated by the age of users - most are in their early 20s and are more prone to being exposed to more sun later on in life, increasing the harmful relationship between tanning beds and skin cancer.

Skin cancer

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common and least serious of all three types of skin cancer. This is closely followed by Squamous Cell Carcinoma. The most aggressive form of skin cancer is Malignant Melanoma which is a dangerous skin lesion that can often lead to further complications such as it spreading (metastasis) to other parts of the body. These are typically the lungs, liver and kidneys and even the penis and vagina.

Tanning Alternatives

To avoid the effects of tanning beds and skin cancer, it is important to remember that ultraviolet rays in all forms are harmful to the skin. There are other options to getting the perfect tan without having to resort to the sun or tanning beds. One is through the use of tanning sprays, where pigments are sprayed onto the skin to emulate the look of a good tan. These provide the appeal of tans without the skin damage caused by UV rays.

Summary

As there is now a definite link between cancer and skin tanning, in order to avoid skin cancer, the use of tanning beds has got to be one of the first things that should be tackled. A few hours of use for several months can already lead to an eightfold increase in the chances of developing skin cancer, which means that current users should have themselves diagnosed for possible signs of its development.

This is crucial especially since some types of skin cancer start small and are quite unnoticeable. In other cases, the tumors develop below the skin and are more difficult to see with the naked and untrained eye.

Avoid going out in the sun without sunscreen, and make sure to wear protective clothing that covers the arms, legs, and face. Through these steps, minimizing the risks of skin cancer may be possible.