Nichole Sims started using a tanning bed at 15, only to be diagnosed with melanoma eight years later. Her experience is a stark reminder of the dangers of tanning beds, which have been linked to an increased risk of skin cancer.
The Risks of Tanning Beds
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 100,000 new melanomas will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2026, and about 8,500 people are expected to die from melanoma. The World Health Organization has classified tanning beds as a cancer-causing agent, in the same category as tobacco and asbestos.
Experts are concerned about a resurgence in the popularity of tanning among young adults, particularly with the rise of social media. A video of a girl sharing her “tanning secrets” and showing off a bikini tan line has racked up more than 11 million views, while people in the comments joke about the risks of tanning.
How Tanning Beds Increase Cancer Risk
Dr. Pedram Gerami and his team at Northwestern University’s medical school found that tanning bed users have nearly three times the risk of developing melanoma as those who do not use tanning beds. The DNA mutation rate of melanocytes in tanning bed users was more than double that of nonusers whose only exposure to UV is outdoor sun.
Misconceptions about tanning are more likely among youth, with many believing that having a “base tan” will protect against sunburn. However, experts warn that there is no such thing as a safe tan, and that tanning beds can emit more than 10 times as much UV light as the sun.
Talking to Your Teen About the Dangers of Tanning
Teenagers can be a tough group to persuade, but there are ways to get the message across. Rather than talking about skin cancer, parents can emphasize how excess sun exposure can cause skin to look leathery or wrinkly. They can take their teen to a dermatologist to take a UV photo that shows the skin damage that isn’t yet visible to the naked eye.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
