tanning bed presentation 1

Tanning Bedlam:Can we prevent an epidemic of

malignant melanoma?

Alan Blum, MD

University of Alabama Student Health Center

October 5, 2012

Tanning Bed Risks

• Skin cancer

• Burns

• Allergic reactions

• Immune suppression

• Injuries to skin/eyes

• Premature aging of skin

Tanning Beds and Cancer

• Melanoma risk – 75% increase

– 2nd most common cancer for those aged 15-29

• Group 1 carcinogen

• 2012 melanoma estimates

– 76,000 new cases

– 9,000 deaths

Risk Factors

• Light skin

• Family history

• Childhood sunburns

• Sensitive skin, including freckles

• Blue/green eyes

• Red/blonde hair

• Moles

“Safety” Myths

• Safer than sunbathing

• Safe way to get Vitamin D

• Safe way to tan without:

– Sunburn

– Sunscreen

Reasons for Tanning

• 70% of students: “I look better when I am tanned”

• 59% of students: “Tanning beds make me ill, but everything causes cancer these days”

• 52% of students: “Tanning bed use is no more risky than lots of things that people do”

• 40% of students: “…really motivated by appearance enhancement reasons”

Tanning Beds and College Students

• 31%-39% addicted to tanning

– Increased anxiety

– Increased alcohol/marijuana use

• 100% believe skin cancer risk

• Burn injuries common

Tanning Use By Region

U.S. Census Region: Total Population

Northeast: 4.4%

Midwest: 8.8%

South: 5.5%

West: 3.6%

U.S. Census Region: Women

Northeast: 7.3%

Midwest: 13.7%

South: 8.5%

West: 6.0%

National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2010

Tanning Use and Skin Cancer

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Sunburn in the last 12 months Family history of skin cancers

Yes

No

National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2010

Tanning Use By Age

Age Groups

18-29: 11.3%

30-39: 5.9%

40-49: 5.9%

50-59: 2.9%

65+: 0.8%

National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2010

Tanning by Education Level

Education

College graduate

Some college/technical school

High school graduate

Some high school or less

National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2010

“Born” 30-second PSA

• http://www.aad.org/media-resources/public-service-advertisements/view-psa/view-psas

Alan Blum, M.D.

Professor and Endowed Chair in Family Medicine

Director, The University of Alabama

Center for the Study of Tobacco and Society

ablum@cchs.ua.edu