Artificial Tanning and Skin Cancer

Some women resort to artificial tanning by the lack of time to do it on the beach.

The use of tanning lamps, which in recent years has become popular among teens and women may increase the risk of skin cancer.

Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is a major cause of skin cancer, which has led researchers to study the effect of lamps installed in tanning salons on the health of the individual.

The Tanning lamps mimic sunlight and provide an intense and concentrated dose of ultraviolet rays. Margaret Karago, a specialist in dermatology, has said that a high percentage of people using these devices can develop skin cancer.

Their study, whose results are published in the journal of the National Cancer Institute of USA, has followed the evolution of a total of 1500 residents of the state of New Hampshire, aged between 25 and 74 years.

Among them there were nearly 800 men and women who have developed some of the two main types of skin cancers basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

These two types of skin cancer have a greater impact on the people. Only in the United States each year one million 300 thousand new cases are detected, in addition to other 58 thousand melanomas or malignant skin tumors.

According to his calculations, the use of tanning lamps may increase up to 2.5 times the chances of developing squamous cell skin cancer and 1.5 times the chance of having a basal cell cancer.

According to the researchers who conducted this study in New Hampshire with support from the National Cancer Institute, young people could have a greater risk with the use of tanning lamps.

The growing popularity of artificial tanning among adolescents and young adults is a particular cause for concern.

However, there are no studies about the relationship of these tanning machines with the most common forms of cancer, the type of basal and scaly.

Users of tanning lamps often suffer burns similar to those caused by the sun and are associated with an increased risk for all three types of cancer.

The study has analyzed the responses of nearly 1,500 participants in the use of these tanning devices, tendency to burns, radiation treatments or pre-consumption habits of cigarettes. Among the participants 603 individuals were with skin cancer basal cell and other 293 with squamous cell carcinoma. A total of 540 participants were free of cancer.

More or less every person who frequents a tanning salon or exposes themselves to the sun is putting themselves at risk for skin cancer. The maximum risk is for people with fair skin; blonde, red, or light hair; and blue, green, or gray eyes. Artificial tanning can also be more risky for those who burn easily, have already been treated for skin cancer, or have a family member who has had skin cancer. Not only this, women have a higher risk of contracting skin cancer on their legs, and men have a higher risk of getting it on their backs.

The WHO also strongly recommends that no children under the age of 18 should use artificial tanning equipment.