Artificial Glow Woes: Weighing the Many Consequences of Tanning

Like the chart in my discussion "Most Common Cancers" showed—there are over 68,700 new cases of melanoma every year. And melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, results in about 8,600 deaths every year. In the past few years I have definitely noticed a significant surge in discussions about the importance of sunscreen and the risks of tanning related to skin cancer.

Now, according to a recent study, two-thirds of melanoma cases are likely caused by the use of indoor tanning beds people use to keep a bronze glow all year round. The team studied melanoma cases in Minnesota from 2004 through 2007 and conducted interviews and gave patients questionnaires about indoor tanning, including the devices used, when the person began tanning and for how long. Some pieces to consider from the study that were featured in this article:

People who used indoor tanning beds had a 74% higher risk of getting melanoma
People who tan indoors have a 2.5-3x higher risk of melanoma than those who have never tanned inside
"A lot" of indoor tanning referred to 50 hours or more, 100 sessions or more, and 10 years of tanning or more
Out of the 1,167 cases of melanoma - 2/3 of the patients had used tanning beds
"The risk for melanoma was significant whether the tanning beds used both UVA and UVB rays or UVA rays only. For beds using UVA rays, the risk of melanoma was increased 4.4-fold."
The results remained consistent even when factors like age, gender, locations of found tumors, how much people tanned was measured, and what tanning devices were used.

None of these facts are, at least to me, ground-breaking. I think that we've been hearing about the relationship between "tanning" and skin cancer for a while and this evidence merely reinforces the public consciousness of this issue. But now the government is starting to get involved with prevention. According to the article, "in March, an advisory panel to the U.S Food and Drug Administration recommended that the agency add bolder warning labels to tanning beds, change how they are regulated by the FDA and require parental consent for users aged 18 and under." Some people working on that bill actually believe that artificial tanning should be banned for anyone under 18.

On the other hand, the government is also hoping to benefit from people's love of tanning by implementing the Tanning Tax - 10% on tanning services (supposedly starting July 1st) - to help pay for health care reform.

And, of course, the tanning industry disagrees with their business being taxed in order to pay for health care. But additionally, they are adamant that tanning health risks aren't really that bad. The article features a quote from a spokesman for the Indoor Tanning Association, who said, "the latest science is contradictory. A study out just two weeks ago from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center found that UVA light does not cause melanoma." He went on to note that other studies and researchers believe that tanning has cancer-fighting benefits via vitamin D that the UV light exposure can help.

We have a lot to consider here. Firstly, as Ellen brought to light (pun intended) in her awesome blog post about vitamin D - sun exposure is essential to our immune systems and likely a treatment for health conditions like MS. For people that suffer from depression and want a natural remedy, light therapy is also a great option - as Amy brings up in this blog post. Vitamin D is extremely important and a big topic that Health Activists are going to going to see no matter what their health condition focus is. But, conversely - as we promote the healthy sun practices and encourage people to use sunscreen - we're going to see conversations about indoor tanning beds and tanning itself. Should something we basically know causes cancer be banned?

Many people who tan may argue the benefits of tanning to their self-esteem and body image - which is important to overall mental health. There is a difference between a health glow and an carrot chic - but how much control should the government have in a person's decisions to tan? Should risky procedures that could arguably be for-vanity's-sake be taxed to help pay for our health care reform? Does this seem like the beginnings of a slippery slope? It's a lot to consider especially as technology continues to improve both in ways we can improve our "looks" and in ways that we detect cancer (and other disease causes).

Are people discussing these ideas in your health community? I'd love to hear what you think. Consider starting a discussion on some of these ideas and see what others think. Use this shortened URL: http://bit.ly/90IXNB

Tags: cancer, health care reform, light therapy, melanoma, skin cancer, tanning, taxes, vitamin d

0 members like this

Comment by Amy K on May 27, 2010 at 2:22pm: This is a great topic, so many things to consider!

I have found myself debating the use of a tanning bed in my own head lately. I know that tanning is risky, but it could help me feel better ... or will it? I tanned some when I was a teen and young adult. One year I went year round (still not a carrot chick though) and arguable that was one of my best "mental health" years in retrospect. Was it because of the tanning or was it that I was taking time out of my life to focus on me and feeling good about myself? There are a myriad of other possible correlations to consider too.

If I had never tanned before in my life I would not even consider going now, knowing how dangerous it could be for my health. I hope that we can continue to bring awareness to how dangerous these kind of tanning devices can be, so that younger generations will not even consider it as an option. (sorry, tanning industry)

Ultimately, I have chosen to stay away from tanning beds. I believe it is in my best interest.

Shouldn't we tell others that it is in theirs as well? I think labeling the tanning beds boldly and increasing awareness about the real risks involved is important. I think of the labels on cigarette packages, like with smoking, it should be obvious that tanning is a risk taking behavior and that this activity has been directly linked to cancer.

Comment by amanda on May 27, 2010 at 4:20pm: Great points! I think the idea of labeling tanning beds like cigarette packs is a good one. Even if it's not new information (and even if it doesn't stop "tanning addicts" since the surgeon general doesn't really stop smokers) it will serve as a reminder for those who tan sometimes or want to start to rethink it.

You brought up a great point about self-image, though, too - when people feel good about their bodies they feel better about life in general. I even sense a difference in myself when I'm wearing a new shirt let alone when I feel like my skin looks good - makes a pretty big difference in my outlook on ...everything. (Seems shallow when you think about it - but it's actually true!) Whether this is because I'm more confident when I like how I look or just that I'm less self-conscious it doesn't really matter. It improves mental health when you aren't worrying! Additionally, if light therapy does help with depression - it might be worth some part of the risk. It's just hard to know which part of all of that is most important!

Comment by Amy K on May 28, 2010 at 12:18am: What I think is so important to determine is if tanning at a tanning bed is equivalent to "light therapy"? If it truly does have the same effects then it may be worth some of the potential risks for those who are dealing with major depression, SAD, or something similar, aka people like myself!

I am not sure though... if it is really an equivalent, so therefore more research and more information is needed for me to feel good about it.

I agree, like the Surgeon General's warning on cigarettes, it wouldn't keep those who are "tanning addicts" (I wonder if there is any possible true physiological addiction or if it is all psychological?) away, but I believe it would make the general population that much more aware of the risks.

Just tonight my 11 year old daughter and I were talking about some girl-type stuff...I was telling her about how my hair lightens when I get a tan. I thought of this discussion and I told her that tanning in a tanning bed can cause cancer. She asked if I was ever going to go to one again. I told her I was not 100% certain, but that I didn't think it was a good idea, especially not for people to use them "a lot". It was a great opportunity to educate my daughter. Unless I had shared that with her, for all she knew tanning in a tanning bed was good and healthy. The labels and warnings are important. Not everyone will have the opportunity or feel the need to explain that to their daughters.

Now I'm wondering... is it fair to use the term "addict"... I wonder what the reality of the appropriateness of that term is? It's a shame that it is holds this risk of cancer, if it really does just boost people's sense of self-esteem and self-image...

For someone such as myself, going to a tanning bed would be a lot simpler than carving out 30 (give or take) minutes each day to make sure I get adequate sunlight and that vitamin D that we all need. I would love to see if it would have the same affects on self-esteem/self-confidence/body image as getting that tanning bed tan? Is it possible to measure that?

Have I raised enough questions yet? Or have I talked myself into a hole? Let's just say I find this topic intriguing.

Comment by Amy K on May 28, 2010 at 12:44am: I should have said, daughters and sons above ... boys tan, too.

Comment by Ellen S on May 28, 2010 at 2:50pm: Hmmm. I'm not exactly sure where I stand on this. I did tan some when tanning booths and beds first came out - eons ago. It was a once a week thing for me at the time, done in the winter, usually as I prepared for a trip. I spent much more time in the sun tanning, or just working and the tan was a byproduct I enjoyed. From the time I was little, I was always just a tanned person, and once I began getting a rash while tanning, so long as it wasn't bad, I kept at it. The things we do to look good...

By the time I was about 22 or 23 I had precancerous lesions on the back of my L arm removed. I still have those scars today. Would those spots have become cancerous? I'll not find out. Were they a result of my time in a tanning booth or the sun, or something else? It's anyone's guess. I basically stopped tanning at that point, in the sun or on a tanning bed.

There have been 3 times since then that I have used a tanning bed. Two of those times I felt much better while using it, and even after I was done using it (weeks) felt better. My family noticed it on their own and encouraged me to do it more as a result. The last time was because I wanted to look nice for my 25th wedding anniversary. I got very sick. It turns out that my autoimmunity had kicked it up a notch and the tanning bed triggered a very bad flare. That was a couple years ago and my immune system has never recuperated.

This is my anniversary photo. I'm nicely tanned, but my family's hanging onto me because I felt so awful.

Autoimmune communities don't discuss tanning much, because we all know it's dangerous for us. Those with chronic pain sometimes find tanning helps them feel better. Migraineurs don't really discuss it in their communities much.

While I suppose I'm not opposed to a tanning tax, I think it's a bit more amusing than helpful in any regard. I hope I'm wrong, but I suspect folks will continue to do it regardless of the health implications.

Should they be outlawed - no. There are other health issues (even dermatological) that use tanning equipment as a part of the treatment, some in doctor's offices. There are more healthy ways of using them. I suppose I look at them much like helmets on motorcycle riders.

To me, it's still all about education...

Comment by amanda on June 1, 2010 at 11:53am: You both make some pretty strong cases for and against tanning! You've definitely gotten me to reconsider my stance!

Amy - I think you modeled great parent-behavior by speaking honestly with our daughter about this! I think your questions about tanning as an addiction are interesting. After all the research I've done on compulsive behaviors vs. addition - I'm still not sure what qualifies as which. In our 21st century America we're running into problems defining nearly all of our behaviors! I'd be hard-pressed to find any behavior or interest that wasn't up for the addiction/compulsion debate! I'll keep my eyes and ears open if I come across tanning's place in the debate. But great questions - I like seeing your mind working over this! It's working my mind too!

Ellen - Thanks for sharing your story! Yikes. What a tumultuous relationship with tanning! :( You brought up things I hadn't even considered. I had no idea that tanning is dangerous to people with autoimmune diseases and that tanning could help people with chronic pain. I'd love to hear more about these issues!

Comment by Ellen S on June 1, 2010 at 5:12pm: Amanda, in a nutshell, the damage done by the sun (or tanning bed) that triggers the production of melanin as well as occasional sunburns, causes cells to be damaged. When this happens the body mistakes the broken/damaged cells for a foreign invader and produces antibodies that then attack healthy cells. Those with autoimmunity are in danger with fluorescent lights as well, because they can cause the same damage and result in flares of disease, just like the sun and tanning beds are a trigger.

As to pain, it is mostly as a result of vitamin D production that chronic pain is helped long term, although personally I also think the heat from the bed is wonderfully comforting, as it was laying out in the sun in my earlier years. :) The heat and rays also were very soothing to my Raynaud's stricken parts - face, fingers and toes, and the effect lasted a couple days, although I'm sure some of that was due to an inflammatory response increasing circulation.

Artificial Glow Woes: Weighing the Many Consequences of Tanning

You need to be a member of WEGO Health to add comments!