In the News: New Research (Backed by World Health Organization) Says Tanning Causes Cancer

The source of this information is to be trusted implicitly. After all, everyone was paying close attention when the World Health Organization announced H1N1 influenza (swine flu) had reached a pandemic level on June 11, 2009. This was the first such announcement in 41 years and we expect ongoing leadership from this organization as this outbreak unfolds. To borrow a phrase: When this organization speaks, you should listen.

Let’s not kid ourselves about how serious melanoma is; a new or changing mole the size of a pencil eraser could be deadly if not detected and removed early. Those of us who treat patients with melanoma appreciate the impact it has on those affected and their families. We understand that this cancer requires lifelong surveillance to ensure the melanoma has not spread or a new one has not occurred. It is not merely an inconvenience; it is a life-long, and potentially life-threatening, concern.

Those without adequate qualifications or training have no place in providing the public with advice about sun safety when so much is at stake. I would not follow legal advice from anyone other than a lawyer; I certainly would not recommend listening to anyone other than an appropriately qualified physician when it comes to melanoma and its risk factors.

It may surprise many that there are no formal age restrictions in Nova Scotia for using a tanning bed. Access is left up to the discretion of the owner and many only insist on a parent’s consent if a customer is under 16. Given that tanning is now classified as dangerous as smoking, clearly this has to change. We have an age limit for accessing tobacco and we need one for restricting tanning-bed use. Dermatologists across the country are lobbying local governments to initiate this restriction and specialists in this province will soon be doing the same.

As a dermatologist, I see patients with psoriasis and other significant skin conditions that may require treatment with ultraviolet light. Far from being a "purely cosmetic" disorder, psoriasis affects a patient’s quality of life in much the same way as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic heart failure. Ultraviolet light, when used by a qualified professional in a supervised setting, is an appropriate treatment for psoriasis given the severity of this disease. Treatment would only take place after discussing the risks and benefits of light therapy and is prescribed and monitored much like one would for a pill. While UVA is still used, many patients with psoriasis now receive narrow band UVB, which overall has a better safety profile and lower risk of melanoma.

At the end of the day, individuals will make their own decisions regarding their health. Just as some continue to smoke cigarettes despite the known risks, some will continue to use tanning devices despite warnings. It is important, however, that they have accurate advice before making these choices.

As a dermatologist, the best advice I can provide is to avoid tanning booths completely. There is nothing safe or "natural" about a tan; it is the skin being damaged by UV rays, and we know ongoing damage will lead to skin cancer in many individuals, a fact I am unfortunately reminded of almost daily in my practice. When all is said and done, this issue is about trust. Presented with information from both sides, who is better qualified to provide advice about your health? How accountable will owners of tanning salons be should their clients develop melanoma?

This year, it is expected that 5,000 people in Canada will be diagnosed with melanoma and 940 will die of this cancer. Melanoma is the third most common cancer in females from age 15 to 29. UV radiation is a known risk factor for this deadly disease and it is time to accept that indoor tanning is not safe, especially for young people. Presented with this information, it is time for the Nova Scotia government to pass legislation that bans tanning under the age of 18.

Author: Dr. Peter Green, MD FRCPC (Dermatology), is program director, Division of Dermatology, Dalhousie University.