Survey Reveals Americans Still Desire Tan Bodies

Skin cancer continues to be the most common form of cancer in the United States. This frightening fact does not deter people away from their desire to gain a so-called healthy looking tan. In fact, a recent survey reveals the majority of the population believes a tanned body is more attractive than somebody with fair, white skin. Although 80 percent of the people polled said they were concerned about the disease and would do what they could to prevent it, their answers are a bit contradictory.

Approximately, 37 percent of the 7,100 men and women surveyed by the American Academy of Dermatology believed that tanning in a tanning bed was safer than the sun. This is not the case. Doctors urge people to avoid tanning beds because of the concentrated, harmful UV rays, they are exposing their skin to. At least 60 percent of the people surveyed believed that sun exposure is healthy and good for a person’s overall health. Again, this is another misconception.

These survey results help explain the drastic rise in skin cancer cases in the last ten years. Studies indicate the number of melanoma procedures has increased by 76 percent. This rise correlates with the boom of the indoor tanning industry. New restrictions and taxes are being imposed on the industry by the federal government in an attempt to curb people’s addiction to tanning beds. The AAD recommends people to avoid tanning indoor or outdoor.

The month of May has been named as the Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month by the AAD.