Indoor tanning increases the risks of developing non-melanoma skin cancer, particularly among those exposed before age 25, according to an analysis.
The researchers estimated indoor tanning may account for more than 170,000 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer a year in the United States alone.
Cases of non-melanoma skin cancer have increased dramatically over the last few decades, the researchers noted in background information for the study. Although not as lethal as melanoma, these cases affect a vast number of people worldwide and are a substantial financial burden to healthcare systems. Several studies have examined the link between non-melanoma skin cancer and indoor tanning, but have yielded varied results.
Eleni Linos, MD, an assistant clinical professor of health sciences at the University of California, San Francisco, and colleagues analyzed the results of 12 studies involving 9,328 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer (7,645 basal cell carcinomas and 1,683 squamous cell carcinomas).
Ever using indoor tanning was associated with a 67% higher risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma and a 29% higher risk of developing basal cell carcinoma, compared with never using it. Given the extent of indoor tanning use in the United States, the researchers estimated that such tanning accounts for 3.7% of cases of basal cell carcinoma and 8.2% of cases of squamous cell carcinoma. This rate corresponds to 98,408 cases of basal cell carcinoma and 72,244 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, making 170,652 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer each year attributable to indoor tanning.
Exposure at a young age (before 25) was significantly associated with an increased risk for basal cell carcinoma and showed a non-significant increased risk for squamous cell carcinoma. "This suggests a critical period for exposure during early life and a potential dose-response effect," the authors wrote.
Further analysis of the data, and adjustment for factors that may have affected the results, did not substantially alter the findings.
The authors wrote that their findings point to a possible causal link between indoor tanning and non-melanoma skin cancers. "We hope that these findings can support public health campaigns and motivate increased regulation to reduce exposure to this carcinogen, especially during early life."
The study appeared Oct. 2 on the website of the British Medical Journal and is available at www.bmj.com/content/345/bmj.e5909.
The researchers estimated indoor tanning may account for more than 170,000 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer a year in the United States alone.
Cases of non-melanoma skin cancer have increased dramatically over the last few decades, the researchers noted in background information for the study. Although not as lethal as melanoma, these cases affect a vast number of people worldwide and are a substantial financial burden to healthcare systems. Several studies have examined the link between non-melanoma skin cancer and indoor tanning, but have yielded varied results.
Eleni Linos, MD, an assistant clinical professor of health sciences at the University of California, San Francisco, and colleagues analyzed the results of 12 studies involving 9,328 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer (7,645 basal cell carcinomas and 1,683 squamous cell carcinomas).
Ever using indoor tanning was associated with a 67% higher risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma and a 29% higher risk of developing basal cell carcinoma, compared with never using it. Given the extent of indoor tanning use in the United States, the researchers estimated that such tanning accounts for 3.7% of cases of basal cell carcinoma and 8.2% of cases of squamous cell carcinoma. This rate corresponds to 98,408 cases of basal cell carcinoma and 72,244 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, making 170,652 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer each year attributable to indoor tanning.
Exposure at a young age (before 25) was significantly associated with an increased risk for basal cell carcinoma and showed a non-significant increased risk for squamous cell carcinoma. "This suggests a critical period for exposure during early life and a potential dose-response effect," the authors wrote.
Further analysis of the data, and adjustment for factors that may have affected the results, did not substantially alter the findings.
The authors wrote that their findings point to a possible causal link between indoor tanning and non-melanoma skin cancers. "We hope that these findings can support public health campaigns and motivate increased regulation to reduce exposure to this carcinogen, especially during early life."
The study appeared Oct. 2 on the website of the British Medical Journal and is available at www.bmj.com/content/345/bmj.e5909.
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