Agency labels tanning beds 'definitely carcinogenic'

[Feralpeg]

I have never used a tanning bed, but I did get a severe burn at least once each summer during my teen years. I burn very easily. I never tan. So each year, I'd somehow end up with a bad burn. I am now seeing the result. A little over a year ago, I had basil cell skin cancer removed from my back. When the doctor told me he had a place to remove, I figured it would be like a little mole. I ended up with a four inch incision in my back. I am due to return for another checkup to make sure I don't have any more.

The sun is great, but in moderation. My daughter is extremely fair and I harp at her all the time to wear sun screen. Maybe if I had been more careful, I wouldn't be dealing with skin cancer now.

Let's change the fashion trend. Non-tanned people rule!

 

[MoniqueU]

You have very smart kids!

I hope they are the rule rather than the exception in their age group. If they keep it up, they will not only be healthier, but look beautiful with youthful looking skin well into their 40s and beyond

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MY DD 12 plays water polo 11 months of the year so I get to see ALOT of kids her age and up that spend alot of time in our sounthern calfronia sun and except those that are naturally dark (hispan8c or other race) I can not recall any of them with much of a tan and sunscreen use is huge. My DD 12 is up in the bay arwa right now for water polo Jr Olympics and I think she had 7 things of sunscreen, Even with the sunscreebn she has veey faint tan lines from her suit and she hates them and REALLY puts sunscreen on. We play a variety of areas in SO CAL from beach towns to deserts and all seem to be really conseous of it.

ETA my mom was looking at my MIL when we were on vacation somewhere and convinced my MIL to see a dermatologist about a mole. That mole was fine but the one next to it was melanoma. She is still alive but from what she has said the scar is big and deep. I have gone in several times to have moles looked at and even when they say they are OK I doubt them. I did far too much tanning and so did my husband when we were younger. NOT GOOD. We also both smoked up until recently. I am betting one of the 2 will get one or both of us and knowing that doesn't help me sleep at night.

 

[suzannen]

Ya! and ice cream... If I ate ice cream for as long as some people tan, I would probably die sooner than the tanners.

Mikeeee

Honestly, I am not trying to be snarky so maybe I just really don't understand your tone or your point. But my dad is 85 and has eaten ice cream EVERY single night of his life since he was in his 20s - it's his favorite food. He has no cholesterol problems but he has had at least 15 cases of Basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer) on his face and his nose is now permanently disfigured from all of the treatments for it. So, if this was meant to be funny or flippant, I don't get it - Cancer is NOT funny! But, again, if I've read it the wrong way, I do apologize, my dad has just had another round of plastic facial surgery for this so it's an emotional thing for me.

 

[FireDancer]

That's the sun. I've yet to see any evidence that tanning beds provide vitamin D. Do they provide vitamin D?

Neither the sun nor a tanning bed provide vitamin D. You body makes it as a chamical reaction in response to specific length UV rays. The sun works much more efficiently but if you live in states without enough sun a tanning bed can be your only alternative. Doctors have prescribed tanning to patients found to have low levels of Vitamin D and fish allergies (the most effective Vitamin D supplements are fish products).

Again, this is very different than how most people use tanning beds and the beds are specifically made to produce the proper wavelength light. You usually have to go out of your way to find them.

 

[OK!]

Unfortunately all I can say is "duh".

Same here. I saw a bit about it on the news this morning and was like, "Um, are they just now realizing this?!" Sheesh.

I used a tanning bed once in high school. Apparently, I was allergic to whatever they used to clean/sanitize the bed between uses and got it (basically) baked into my skin. I spent the next 3-4 days scratching myself bloody. I was covered head to toe in hives and a rash, and "slept" on ice bags to try to kill the itch somewhat. I think I got a total of maybe 2 hours of sleep. That wasn't the best spring break I ever had, that's for sure.

 

[princess momma]

I don't think this is true. Most skin cancers are almost 100% curable, unless you are talking about melanoma. Even so, melanoma has a much higher cure rate than lung cancer. I'm not saying that tanning beds are healthy, but I don't think the health effects are nearly as bad as those from smoking.

Right. Melanoma makes up a very small percentage of skin cancers but it is the most deadly. Skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer and the forms of skin cancer other than melanoma are quite treatable.

Not that I'm recommending tanning beds.