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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
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Ask anyone suffering from skin cancer - tanning is a bad idea! According to the American Cancer Society, overexposure to sunlight and other forms of ultraviolet (UV) radiation is thought to be the major risk factor not only for basal and squamous cell skin cancers, but for the more serious melanoma, as well.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, with one in five Americans developing skin cancer at some point in their lifetime. While the vast majority of these are basal cell skin cancer -- the least dangerous -- the number of melanomas is on the rise. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 68,500 people will be diagnosed with melanoma this year. More than a million Americans are diagnosed with some type of skin cancer each year, and more than 11,000 die.
Even though cancer usually doesn't develop until later in life, skin damage from sun overexposure builds up over time, and once damage occurs, it can't be reversed. In fact, experts say the most serious and lasting damage occurs before age 18.
The sun emits three types of ultraviolet rays: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC isn't a problem -- it's absorbed by the ozone layer in the Earth's atmosphere. But UVB rays cause sunburn as well as skin cancer and premature aging of skin. UVA rays stimulate tanning but are also linked with other problems such as cataracts and other eye problems, premature aging of skin, wrinkling, loss of skin elasticity, skin rashes, and allergic or other reactions to drugs. UVA and UVB are both designated as causes of skin cancer by the National Institutes of Health. 
Everyone is encouraged to protect themselves from these rays by using a sunscreen with an SPF (sun-protection factor) of at least 15, or 30 if you have fair skin, which is more susceptible to the harmful effects of UV rays. At the very least, wear a hat and sunglasses when you're out in the sun.
Tanning beds also give off UV rays, and a 2006 study in the International Journal of Cancer found a strong association between the use of tanning beds and the risk of developing melanoma. Still, nearly 2.3 million American teenagers visit tanning salons every year.
Make sure your family understands the facts before working on their tans this year.
More information is available from three Ohio State University Extension fact sheets:
More detailed information can be found at:
This article originally appeared in Family Fundamentals (4/22/2008), a service of Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center and was adapted for use on NetWellness with permission, 2008.
Last Reviewed: Jul 10, 2009
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Patricia Brinkman, MS Community Development Educator - Fayette County Family & Consumer Sciences OSU Extension The Ohio State University |
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Please note: only your personal physician or other health professional you consult can best advise you on matters of your health based on your medical history, your family medical history, your medication history, and how information from any of these databases may apply to you. Neither University of Cincinnati (NetWellness) nor any party involved in creating, producing or delivering this web site shall be liable for any damages arising out of access to or use of this web site, or any errors or omissions in the content thereof. (More) 
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