Indoor Tanning Dramatically Increases Skin Cancer Risk
Dermatologists have been saying it for years, tanning beds dramatically increase a person’s risk of developing skin cancer. Now, a comprehensive study has proven that statement. The study provides substantial evidence against the use of tanning beds. Researchers for the World Health Organization recently declared indoor tanning beds as carcinogenic.
DeAnn Lazovich of the University of Minnesota and her colleagues conducted a study to find out how much of a role indoor tanning beds play in the rising number of melanoma cases. The researchers evaluated 1,167 cases of invasive cutaneous melanoma that were reported between July 2004 and December 2007. The victims were between the ages of 25 and 59. Researchers had a control group in which the participants did not have melanoma.
The patients provided detailed information on a questionnaire and over the telephone in an in depth interview. Researchers uncovered information that detailed the age a person began using indoor tanning, the length and how often the person tanned. The type of bed was also factored in as well as outdoor sun exposure. 63 percent of the patients who had skin cancer had used an indoor tanning bed. 51 percent of the control group had used a tanning bed. Researchers concluded that those who used indoor tanning beds increased their risk of developing skin cancer by 75 percent.
The results of this study will most likely influence the FDA’s decision about regulating tanning bed use. Some predict that individuals under 18 will be banned from using the beds. The study has been published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology.
An obvious result based on what has been know since the 1970s!!
Frankly maybe we need to encourage these stupid people to use tanning beds more so they’ll be weeded out of the gene pool quicker.