Tanning beds as deadly as arsenic and mustard gas

According to new research tanning beds are as deadly as arsenic and mustard gas, which confirms what doctors long suspected.

International experts now say that tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation are among the leading cancer risks, right up there with tobacco and the hepatitis B virus. The new analysis by the Cancer Arm of the World Health Organization isn't news to dermatologists.

Dermatologists Dr. Harvey Handler says, "I don't think any dermatologist in the world would be surprised to hear that tanning booths cause skin cancer."

The report finds that people who start using tanning beds before the age of 30 increase their risk of cancer by 75 percent. Also, the National Cancer Institute reports the rate of new cases of malignant melanoma among young women has doubled since 1980.

Cindy Reidel tans twice a week. She says the new findings are eye opening, but not enough to keep her away from the salon since she believes she tans in moderation. "I feel if you go everyday like some people I know and you overdo it, I do believe it's dangerous."

But Dr. Handler says it's always dangerous.

Does he believe this new evidence will discourage the use of tanning beds?

"Did $5 for a pack of cigarettes stop people from smoking? No."

The American Cancer Association advises people to try bronzing or self tanning creams instead of tanning beds. Industry groups say the study does not provide definitive proof that sun beds cause cancer and say they promote responsible tanning.

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