If anyone thought the jury was still out on the danger of tanning machines, new research may provide the clincher. A study from Dartmouth Medical School in Lebanon, NH, links tanning device use to basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the most common forms of skin cancer.
The researchers interviewed 603 BCC and 293 SCC patients (plus 540 healthy subjects) about their sunbed and sunlamp use, history of sun exposure, sun sensitivity, sunburns, and other skin cancer risk factors. With all factors accounted for, tanning device users had 2.5 times the risk of SCC and 1.5 times the risk of BCC, compared to non-users.
"Our study strongly suggests that sunbed and sunlamp use may increase the incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancers," says lead author Margaret R. Karagas, PhD. "Further research is needed to determine an appropriate public health response."
Sun & Skin News readers know that we've frequently presented evidence of the harm caused by indoor tanning. Our last issue described recent research showing that people exposed to full-body tanning salon sessions have a significant increase in skin repair proteins typically associated with sun damage. ("Regulations Don't Make Tanning Salons Safe," Vol. 18, No. 4 2001). We also noted previous findings that women who frequent tanning parlors have a greater incidence of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.