Cancer Risks Skyrocket With Tanning Beds

March 19, 2007 -- Young people who think tanning beds could help them get tan without cancer risk could be in for a serious shock.

A new study by Working Group on Artificial UV light and skin cancer of the Intetrnational Agency for Research on Cancer concludes that using a tanning bed under the age of 35 can increase the risk of melanoma, the most deadly skin cancer, by 75 per cent.

The group reviewed all the studies done on the relationship between tanning bed use and skin cancer.

Men and women who had ever used indoor tanning were 15 per cent more likely to develop melanoma.

A review of 7 studies found that exposure to tanning beds before the age of 35 caused melanoma to rise by 75 per cent.

The IARC recommends policymaker consider stronger measures to restrict the use of tanning beds by young people.

It says young adults should be discouraged from indoor tanning, and access be limited for minors, those under 18.

Some states, such as New Jersey, have regulations on the books.

In New Jersey, those under 14 are banned from tanning salons, and those between 14 and 18 must have parental consent.

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