Young women and teens are soaking up cancer risk

Young women and girls aren't getting the message that tanning can kill, according to a poll released this week from the American Academy of Dermatology. Four out of five Caucasian girls and women age 14 to 22 reported that they tanned outdoors either frequently or occasionally during the past year, and 32 percent used a tanning bed.

More than two million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with some form of skin cancer each year, and melanoma, the most deadly type, has increased 4 percent a year for the past three decades—especially in young white women and girls. "Most young women with melanoma are developing it on their torso, which may be the result of high-risk tanning behaviors such as indoor tanning," said Ronald L. Moy, M.D., a dermatologist and president of the AAD, in a statement.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the World Health Organization have declared ultraviolet radiation-from the sun or tanning beds and lamps—a known carcinogen. That's because indoor tanning can increase a person's melanoma risk by 75 percent. While most girls and women know that tanning can lead to skin cancer, many are not doing anything about it. A quarter of the 32 percent of tanning-bed users in the age group tan indoors at least every week, on average.

Part of the problem is access, according to the AAD. A recent survey of 116 U.S. Cities found that tanning beds are more ubiquitous than McDonald's or Starbucks. Reality shows that promote the tanning industry probably don't help. A majority, 65 percent, of the women and girls said they perceived themselves to be more attractive if they are tan.

Bottom line: To lower your risk of skin cancer, stay out of the tanning bed. You can also limit your exposure to ultraviolet radiation by wearing protective clothing such as wide-brimmed hat, staying indoors or in the shade when the sun is at it's highest, and using sunscreen. Most people should opt for an SPF of at least 30, but we've found that all sunscreens are not created equally. For more, see our latest report on sunscreens, and our Ratings (available to subscribers).

Source
New survey finds teen girls and young women need a lesson on dangers of indoor tanning [American Academy of Dermatology]

—Kevin McCarthy