Wintertime
brings family reunions, snowflakes, skiing, and thousands of
people running to tanning salons. We all know that prolonged
sun exposure can lead to skin cancer in many, yet why do we
not realize the potential dangers of tanning booths? In some
ways, radiation emitted from tanning source may be even MORE
dangerous.
Here's
what we do know: There are almost 20,000 tanning salons across
the United States that are visited by more than a million people
a day. Most salons promote their devices, which emit Ultraviolet
A (UVA) light (which is thought to be safer than Ultraviolet
B light).
| Warning
signs of skin cancer |
| As
mentioned, melanoma is a deadly cancer that has been
associated with UV light, and it is essential that
you have your skin checked regularly by a physician.
The warning signs can be easily remembered as the
ABC's of skin cancer: |
A
- Asymmetry - an abnormal lesion will have one
side looking different than the other side.
B - Border - watch for an irregular border
or one with roughly demarcated edges.
C - Color - observe for lesions that have changed
color over time or are multi-colored.
D - Diameter - be suspicious of lesions that
are larger than a pencil eraser. |
| Any
lesion that appears suspicious to you should be called
to the attention of a physician. Many people are under
the assumption that tanning can give you a "healthy
glow"; on the contrary, the long term use of tanning
salons can lead to that "glow" becoming something
more frightening and deadly. |
|
However,
according to recent research, UVA light received in a salon
may be two to three times more than the UVA light we receive
from the sun on Earth. Additionally, there is a strong link
between UVA light and malignant
melanoma, a dangerous type of skin cancer.
Despite
the common perception otherwise, the only benefit tanning provides
is cosmetic. In addition to cancer, prolonged radiation exposure
can lead to a dysfunctional immune system, sun and eye burns,
cataracts, and photosensitivity reactions to medications.
Researchers
estimate that a twenty-minute visit to the tanning booth is
equivalent to spending a day at the beach. And contrary to most
claims, there is no truth in getting a "base tan" in protecting
against future sunburns.
Despite
the risks, tanning booths are as popular as ever, and it is
unfortunate that more physicians don't speak out more on this
hotbed issue. People who may be especially at risk for skin
cancer include those who:
-
Have
a family history of skin cancer
-
Are
fair skinned, light eyed individuals
-
-
Spend
a great deal of time outdoors, or have had a lifelong
exposure to sun
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