Heads up for ppl who use tanning beds

International cancer experts have moved tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation into the top cancer risk category, deeming both to be definite causes of cancer.

For years, scientists have described tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation as "probable carcinogens."

A new analysis of about 20 studies concludes the risk of skin cancer jumps by 75 percent when people start using tanning beds before age 30.

Cogliano said the classification means experts are confident that tanning beds cause cancer, but he noted they may not be as potent as other carcinogens like tobacco or arsenic.

According to the studies reviewed by Cogliano and colleagues, using tanning beds caused about a 20 percent increased relative risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer.

Cogliano said it was impossible to know how many benign skin cancers might be caused by tanning beds, because of complicating factors like exposure to regular sunlight. He and colleagues examined data from more than 7,000 melanoma cases and found a strong association between tanning bed use and the disease. He compared the link to that found between tobacco and lung cancer.

Sources:

The Lancet Oncology August 2009; 10(8): 751-752

http://www.lancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045%2809%2970213-X/fulltext

[Rockerforlife]

Do you think this  report will stop people from roasting in a oven?....LOL...i think not

[nygirl7]

Worst thing I did on tx was try to go tanning to get rid of my grey skin.

How people in this day and age can't see that the sun and tanning beds are just dreadful and the ozone layer has disintegrated so much by now that it's not even as bad as going in the sun when we were kids (and remember how we used to go out and put on coppertone with no sunscreen?) is ridiculous.

I have a seven inch scar on my back from skin cancer.  I don't go in the sun or use the beds anymore.   Not worth it.  It just as easily could have been on my face instead of my back!