Indoor Tanning Beds: A Serious Threat to Public Health

William D. James, MD, FAAD

President American Academy of Dermatology Association

March 25, 2010

Tanning Beds & Skin Cancer

• Dermatologists treat millions of skin cancer cases every year.

• Tanning beds are cosmetic devices that carry a serious and well-demonstrated cancer risk.

• The AADA believes tanning beds require increased regulation.

The International Regulatory Climate

• June 2009: Germany prohibits the use of tanning beds by minors under the age of 18.

• July 2009: IARC report reclassifies UV radiation from tanning devices as “Group 1: carcinogenic to humans.”– WHO has recommended for years that minors under the

age of 18 be prohibited from using tanning devices.

• November 2009: Brazil’s ANVISA prohibits the use and sale of tanning beds for cosmetic purposes.

Who is at Highest Risk?

• 70 percent of the 1 million indoor tanners a day are women.

• Most tanners are between the ages of 16 and 29.

• 24 percent of adolescent girls aged 13-19 have used a tanning bed at least once in the previous year.

UV Radiation from Tanning Beds is Firmly Linked to Skin Cancer

• Based on a meta-analysis, ever-use of tanning devices was positively associated with melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

• Even minimal exposure to UV radiation from tanning beds before the age of 35 can increase the risk of developing melanoma by 75 percent.

IARC. International Journal of Cancer: 2006 March 1;120:1116-1122.

Indoor Tanning and Risk from UV Radiation

UVB UVA

Direct DNA damage

Indirect DNA damage through chromophores

BurnsCataracts

Ocular melanoma

Photodermatoses

rb

Direct DNA damage

Non-melanoma skin cancers

Melanoma

ImmunosuppressionPhotoaging

Tanning Beds Pose Significant Risk

AADA urges the FDA to:

Ban the use and sale of tanning beds in the United States.

At a minimum, the safety of the public requires:– Reclassification of tanning devices to the strongest

possible category;– Restricted access to tanning beds by minors;– Informed consent for all consumers;– Posted warning statements– Implementation and enforcement of labeling

recommendations from the TAN Act; and,– Enforcement of additional state regulations.

Thank You

William D. James, MD, FAADPresident

American Academy of Dermatology Association1445 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 800

Washington, District of Columbia 20005

Phone: (202) 842-3555Fax: (202) 842-4355