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Tanning beds cause cancer, WHO

Tanning beds are amongst the highest risk sources of skin cancer. Tanning devices have been moved to the highest cancer risk category right along side of cigarettes and mustard gas.

In fact, the threat of cancer from these devices is so high that The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) has called for minors to be barred from using tanning beds.

Combined analysis of over 20 epidemiological studies shows that the risk of skin cancer is increased by 75% when the use of tanning devices starts before age 30. There is also sufficient evidence of an increased risk of eye cancer (ocular melanoma) associated with the use of tanning devices such as tanning beds. Studies in experimental animals support these conclusions and demonstrate that ultraviolet radiation (UVA, UVB, and UVC) is carcinogenic to humans.

The findings are from the The International Agency for Cancer Research or IARC, the World Health Organization's (WHO) cancer organization. The WHO strongly recommends all people avoid sunlamps and tanning parlours and to protect yourself with sunscreen, hats and protective clothing.

The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) says a tanning bed should never be used if:

you’re under18 (The WHOrecommends that people under 18 shouldn’t use tanning beds or lamps. We support that recommendation.)

• you're fair skinned, have freckles or moles or burn easily
• you’ve had skin cancer
• there's a family history of skin cancer
• you're using medications that increase your sensitivity to UV

For more information on the dangers of Sunbeds, tanning and UV exposure

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Written by Webmaster Thursday, 30 July 2009 13:00

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