WHO: Tanning Beds are Cancer Risks

Reported August 03, 2009

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Researchers at the World Health Organization say using a tanning device before age 30 increases skin melanoma risk by 75 percent.

"Sunbeds use ultraviolet radiation in higher intensity than sunlight," Vincent Cogliano, who co-authored the report in the August issue of The Lancet Oncology was quoted as saying.

"Additionally, several case–control studies provide consistent evidence of a positive association between the use of UV-emitting tanning devices and ocular melanoma. Therefore, the Working Group raised the classification of the use of UV-emitting tanning devices to Group 1, 'carcinogenic to humans," the report explained.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has declared sunbeds, (UV tanning beds) in the highest cancer risk category. IARC also moved ultraviolet radiation into the highest risk category.

The characteristic genetic mutation that is caused by solar UV radiation has long been attributed to UVB radiation. However, the same mutation was detected in the skin of UVA-treated mice, and in UVA-induced mouse skin tumors. Thus IARC reclassified UV radiation as a whole (UVA, UVB and UVC) as carcinogenic to humans, or Group 1.

SOURCE: Lancet Oncology, August, 2009