Indoor ultraviolet tanning and skin cancer: health risks and opportunities

Abstract

Purpose of review Skin cancer incidence is higher than that of any other human malignancy, and yet one of its root causes (ultraviolet radiation) is perhaps better understood than any other human carcinogen. The roles of ultraviolet radiation exposure and indoor tanning behaviors on skin cancer risk are explored here. Recent findings Studies from the past several years have shown a significant association between ever-use of an indoor tanning facility and an increased risk of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. The association between indoor tanning and skin cancer is particularly strong among those who first used a tanning facility in early adulthood. Elevated vitamin D levels have been suggested to protect against various internal malignancies and other disease states, but sources of vitamin D that do not require UV exposure are easily available. Summary Although additional research is needed to understand fully the relationship between UV and skin cancer, it is already clear that indoor tanning bed use represents an avoidable risk factor for melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer – both of which may be lethal. Acting upon this information provides a unique opportunity for protecting the public health.

Current Perspective on the Global and United States Cancer Burden Attributable to Lifestyle and Environmental Risk Factors

“…In the 1980s, 1% of American adults reported using indoor tanning facilities. Currently, tanning beds are used by 30 million Americans, or ∼10% of the population (37,119). In a meta-analysis of case-control studies covering more than 7,000 cases of CMM, published by IARC, the summary relative risk of indoor tanning was 1.15 (95% CI = 1.00-1.31).…”

Epidemiologia do carcinoma basocelular

“…101,184,189,190 One of the supposed benefits of tanning beds would be the production of vitamin D; however, oral intake of this vitamin is more efficient and accessible to the population. 188 Another misconception is that artificial tanning would provide protection against subsequent sun exposure, but this protection corresponds to an FPS 2 or 3, something easily achievable by use of sunscreens. 182 The World Health Organization warned about the dangers of artificial tanning and warned that children under 18 years old should not undergo this procedure.…”

Use of Tanning Beds and Incidence of Skin Cancer

“…1,2 Some have suspected that this increased incidence may be attributable to behavioral changes, including expanded use of indoor tanning and more outdoor recreation in combination with early screening. Indoor tanning produces artificial exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, 3 which is known to contribute to skin cancer development.…”