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American Cancer Society
In several of my previous columns, I have written about the risk of sun exposure, and the risk of tanning beds, associated with an increased risk of skin cancer.
Those of you who know me know that my two daughters, Chelsea and Sydney, attend the Health Academy at Crystal River High School. In this program, under the direction of Mrs. Judy Powell, they get a chance to explore the many facets of health care.
The study of health care is not only the treatment of disease, but also the knowledge of how to prevent or lower the risk of many disease processes we encounter each and every day. One of the topics often discussed is the safety of tanning beds.
We all know that excessive sun exposure leads to an increased risk of skin cancer. But many of us, especially teenagers, feel that tanning beds are a safe alternative. In previous columns, I have explained that this is not true. More data now supports this statement. Recent studies have associated tanning bed exposure and an increased risk of malignant melanoma.
In a recent study published in the International Journal of Dermatology, surveys assessing the extent of tanning bed exposure and the history of skin cancer, including malignant melanoma, were collected from academic dermatology clinic patients.
In this study, 1,518 patients were studied. Of these, 551 (36.3 percent) completed all components of the survey. The available medical records, including pathology reports on 501 patients (33 percent), were reviewed to confirm cases of skin cancer. Data on potential confounding factors, including indoor vs. outdoor occupation and leisure activities, skin type, history of blistering sunburn, use of sunscreen and sun protective clothing, history of phototherapy, and level of education, were assessed and compared.
The results of the survey confirmed what we already suspected. Of the patients surveyed, 487 (32.1 percent) reported tanning bed exposure. Women age 45 or younger accounted for about 60 percent of all tanning bed users. Seventy-nine cases of malignant melanoma were reported, 22 in women age 45 or younger.
In the entire study population, the members of the study who stated that they had ever used a tanning bed were found to have a significant risk factor for the development of melanoma. The risk was greater in women age 45 or younger.
Patients with a history of melanoma were significantly more likely to report tanning bed sessions than those who were never diagnosed with melanoma. This association was even stronger for women age 45 or younger.
So what does this mean? In summary, exposure to tanning beds increases the risk of malignant melanoma, especially in women age 45 or younger. These findings reinforce the hazards of tanning bed exposure, especially in younger women. Does this only apply to women? Not at all, but when looking at tanning bed use, the majority of users are female. There is no reason to expect that the risks are any different in males who use tanning beds.
The take home message: excessive exposure to sunlight or tanning beds leads to an increased risk of skin cancer.
Dr. Bennett is a board-certified radiation oncologist, past president of the Citrus County Unit of the American Cancer Society and a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Florida Division of the American Cancer Society. Contact him at 522 N. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, FL 34461 or e-mail cjbennett@rboi.com.
Those of you who know me know that my two daughters, Chelsea and Sydney, attend the Health Academy at Crystal River High School. In this program, under the direction of Mrs. Judy Powell, they get a chance to explore the many facets of health care.
The study of health care is not only the treatment of disease, but also the knowledge of how to prevent or lower the risk of many disease processes we encounter each and every day. One of the topics often discussed is the safety of tanning beds.
We all know that excessive sun exposure leads to an increased risk of skin cancer. But many of us, especially teenagers, feel that tanning beds are a safe alternative. In previous columns, I have explained that this is not true. More data now supports this statement. Recent studies have associated tanning bed exposure and an increased risk of malignant melanoma.
In a recent study published in the International Journal of Dermatology, surveys assessing the extent of tanning bed exposure and the history of skin cancer, including malignant melanoma, were collected from academic dermatology clinic patients.
In this study, 1,518 patients were studied. Of these, 551 (36.3 percent) completed all components of the survey. The available medical records, including pathology reports on 501 patients (33 percent), were reviewed to confirm cases of skin cancer. Data on potential confounding factors, including indoor vs. outdoor occupation and leisure activities, skin type, history of blistering sunburn, use of sunscreen and sun protective clothing, history of phototherapy, and level of education, were assessed and compared.
The results of the survey confirmed what we already suspected. Of the patients surveyed, 487 (32.1 percent) reported tanning bed exposure. Women age 45 or younger accounted for about 60 percent of all tanning bed users. Seventy-nine cases of malignant melanoma were reported, 22 in women age 45 or younger.
In the entire study population, the members of the study who stated that they had ever used a tanning bed were found to have a significant risk factor for the development of melanoma. The risk was greater in women age 45 or younger.
Patients with a history of melanoma were significantly more likely to report tanning bed sessions than those who were never diagnosed with melanoma. This association was even stronger for women age 45 or younger.
So what does this mean? In summary, exposure to tanning beds increases the risk of malignant melanoma, especially in women age 45 or younger. These findings reinforce the hazards of tanning bed exposure, especially in younger women. Does this only apply to women? Not at all, but when looking at tanning bed use, the majority of users are female. There is no reason to expect that the risks are any different in males who use tanning beds.
The take home message: excessive exposure to sunlight or tanning beds leads to an increased risk of skin cancer.
Dr. Bennett is a board-certified radiation oncologist, past president of the Citrus County Unit of the American Cancer Society and a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Florida Division of the American Cancer Society. Contact him at 522 N. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, FL 34461 or e-mail cjbennett@rboi.com.
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