RENO, Nev. (KOLO) -The earliest model tanning beds were introduced in the 1970s.
Since then, we’ve seen businesses revolve around them. They’ve been offered in dorms and placed in personal homes.
The fact is, when it comes to skin cancer tanning beds have been a great accelerator.
That’s because they cause damage to the DNA of skin cells.
“They do have beds that are supposed to be healthy beds,” says Dr. Cindy Lamerson MD, a dermatologist with Nevada Center for Dermatology. “They are not. They are a combination of red light and UV light. UVA They are still putting people at higher risk for developing melanoma over a lifetime. And that seems to happen when people use those beds when they are younger than 30 years old.”
Tanning beds may be one reason Melanoma is the most common cancer found in women between 25 and 29 years of age.
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer.
It’s the second most common form of cancer when 15-year-olds and older to 29 years of age are included.
Researchers say this isn’t just because of tanning beds.
The problem is multi-dimensional.
Patients may be more aware of melanoma and getting it checkout--meaning more diagnosis.
Sun exposure too may be a contributing factor.
More people are going outdoors without proper clothing or sunscreen for protection.
These patients may also be genetically predisposed to the disease.
And there are also social media influencers who give out bad advice----like tan during the day where the UV rays are at their strongest.
This has helped fuel the incidence of skin cancers in younger patients.
“I have removed basal cell carcinoma off of the faces of 20 somethings,” says Dr. Lamerson. “You know 20 years ago that really didn’t happen too much.”
Dr. Lamerson says annual skin checks are a good idea as many patients don’t see moles in certain areas of the body--much less changes in them.
Look at a mole’s size, color, itching or bleeding--all warning signs of skin cancer.
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