Skin Cancer and Teens and Tanning Beds
From LoveToKnow Teens
Skin Cancer and Teens and Tanning Beds
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, there is definitely a link between skin cancer and teens and tanning beds. In 1994, Swedish scientists studied women, ages 18 to 30, and their tanning bed habits. The study found that women who visited tanning beds ten or more times per year had a seven times greater incidence of melanoma than their counterparts who did not use tanning beds. If you still think there are no connections between skin cancer and teens and tanning beds, read on.
What is a Melanoma?
Skin cancer is identified by a melanoma. Melanomas are the forms of skin cancer most difficult to treat. They are tumors originating in the cells that produce melanin. Melanin is what causes pigmentation in the skin, eyes and hair. Areas that have high concentrations of melanin are freckles and moles. Melanomas can be shades of brown but they can also be skin colored, pink, red and purple.
What Causes a Melanoma?
Melanomas occur as a result of exposure to UVA and UVB rays from the sun or tanning beds. Severe sunburns that occur when you are a child can increase your risk, and prolonged exposure to these rays over the years can also increase your risk of developing melanomas.
People that live in particularly sunny locations are at a higher risk, such as those that live in Hawaii, California and Australia.
Detecting Melanomas
Knowing there is a connection between skin cancer and teens and tanning beds may have you worried about moles you have noticed on your body. The Skin Cancer Foundation has an acronym they designed to help you remember how to detect abnormal moles- ABCDE.
- A is for Asymmetry. A mole should be symmetrical meaning it is the same on both sides if you draw a line through it. A dermatologist should check asymmetrical moles.
- B is for Border. A pre-cancerous mole has an uneven edge with notches.
- C is for Color. The color of a normal mole is consistently one color. Melanomas are often two or more different colors.
- D is for Diameter. Melanomas are often larger than the end of a pencil eraser.
- E is for Evolving. Any mole that is changing in size, shape or color should be checked immediately with a dermatologist. Bleeding and itching are also signs of danger.
Tanning Beds and Booths
When you use a tanning bed, or lay in the sun, your skin begins to produce melanin to protect your skin from burning. Using a high SPF (sun protection factor) lotion can help to protect your skin from the effects of UV rays, but it doesn't totally protect you from sun damage. Some people mistakenly believe that going to a tanning booth will help them protect their skin from sunburn, thus preventing skin cancer. They believe that a gradual tan is less damaging to their skin. Unfortunately, any exposure to UV rays is damaging to the skin.
Another argument for the use of tanning beds is that they benefit the body by giving it vitamin D. People that eat a balanced diet already get the vitamin D that they need. Vitamin D is found in fish and dairy foods.
Who is at Risk?
Everyone is at risk for skin cancer. Some people are more prone to skin cancer than others though. Fair skinned individuals have an increased risk, as are people that have close relatives who have had skin cancer. Those that have a lot of moles and are constantly exposed to the sun without protecting their skin are also at an increased risk.
Protect Yourself
Since there is a connection between skin cancer and teens and tanning beds, protecting your skin is one of the best ways to avoid melanomas from occurring. If you have to be out in the sun, limit the amount of time you are out in it. Avoid the hours between 10am and 1pm, which is when the sun is at its peak during the day. Always wear an SPF lotion and protect your eyes from UV rays with sunglasses.
Staying away from tanning booths is definitely a way to avoid damaging your skin as well as decreasing your risk for skin cancer.
Conclusion
Studies point to a connection between skin cancer and teens and tanning beds. Knowing this, protecting your skin is the best way to prevent melanomas. Avoiding prolonged exposure to any UV rays is one of the best-known ways to protect your skin and prevent premature aging. Always use an SPF lotion before going outside and wear sunglasses with lenses designed to protect your eyes from UV rays.
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This page has been accessed 3,137 times. This page was last modified 17:56, 4 June 2008.
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