Cancer From Tanning Beds

Can You Get Cancer From Tanning Beds? by Timothy Croy

Did you know that if you are under the age of 35 and are baking under the intense lamps of a tanning bed as little as once a month, you have boosted your risk of contracting a deadly form of skin cancer by 55%?  Exposure to tanning beds prior to age 35 increases your risk of malignant melanoma by 75%.  One study showed a link between tanning beds and a type of cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.  The same study however, showed no link between basal cell carcinoma and the use of tanning beds.  Also in this study, it was determined that those who utilized sun lamps in their 20’s had a greater risk (about 150%) of developing skin cancer later in life.

There are approximately 1 million Americans who enjoy visiting a tanning bed as opposed to lying out in the direct sun.  They think it is safer, but in actuality, they are facing the same risk of skin cancer as the people who are in direct sunlight.  The difference is that exposure from a tanning bed produces and promotes cell damage in the skin. This can potentially result in skin cancer.  Due to very few studies conducted on the long-term affects of using a tanning bed, the potential risks to your health could be worse than is already thought.
 
Is there such a thing as a safe tanning bed?  There are two different types of radiation that tanning beds can utilize.  One uses X-rays which are emitted by the ends of both bulbs.  This actually occurs with any fluorescent bulb.  The user of the tanning bed can be protected as long as a piece of lead tape is wrapped around the last inch of the bulb.
 
Do you ever wonder why the tanning bed hums when it is turned on?  The second type of radiation is EMF which is released by a magnetic ballast, which is what the majority of tanning beds utilize and this is what causes the humming noise.  The closer you are to the ballast, the more intense the exposure.  The high levels of EMF have been linked to certain cancers.  A safer, if there is such a thing, tanning bed would be one that uses an electronic ballast instead.
 
Not only does family history or prominent or unusual moles contribute to the risk of melanoma, but overexposure to ultraviolet radiation in sunlight is believed to be a heavy contributor as well.  In fact, approximately 90% of all skin cancers can actually be traced back to frequent and long-term exposure to ultraviolet light.  Skin cancer occurs in those areas that are exposed to sunlight on a regular basis, which is most often the face.  It doesn’t usually occur on the buttocks, hips or under the arms; all of these being areas that aren’t usually directly exposed to the sun. 
 
The best method for avoiding skin cancer is to limit your exposure to ultraviolet rays and never allow yourself to get sunburned.  If you enjoy being outside playing sports or just relaxing, make sure to protect your skin by wearing sunscreen, a hat, and light, long-sleeve clothing.  It’s best also to avoid being in the direct sun between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., as that is the time the sun’s rays are the most intense.

Article by Timothy Croy