Sunday, March 22, 2009

The facts about tanning

To put it simply- Skin cancer kills! As college students, you may not be worried about it but in reality, what you do today effects you in the future. So the trip to the tanning booth or outside with no skin protection on yesterday in reality can cause you long term health problems and even death. Read on for some facts from the American Cancer Society

MYTH: I'll go to the tanning booths because its safer than sitting and tanning in the sun"?

FACT: Lights used in tanning beds and sun lamps give off mainly ultraviolet-A (UVA) radiation, according to the study. UVA was classified as a probable human cancer-causing agent by the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) in 1992, according to the Swedish study.

MYTH: A base tan helps prevent skin cancer

FACT: The lights just act as a radiation multiplier, further increasing their skin cancer risk

MYTH: Using a tanning bed doesn't increase my chances of cancer

FACT: People 35 or younger who used the beds regularly had a melanoma risk eight-fold higher than people who never used tanning beds.

MYTH: Skin cancer doesn't kill

FACT: 8,110 deaths per year from skin cancer


What are the signs and symptoms of skin cancer? Skin cancer can be found early, and both doctors and patients play important roles in finding skin cancer. If you have any of the following symptoms, tell your doctor.

* any change on the skin, especially in the size or color of a mole or other darkly pigmented growth or spot, or a new growth
* scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or change in the appearance of a bump or nodule
* the spread of pigmentation beyond its border such as dark coloring that spreads past the edge of a mole or mark
* a change in sensation, itchiness, tenderness, or pain


RESOURCES TO CHECK OUT:

American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/ped_7_1_What_You_Need_To_Know_About_Skin_Cancer.asp?sitearea=&level=

Skin Cancer Foundation
http://www.skincancer.org/

MayoClinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/skin-cancer/DS00190

2 comments:

Charles said...

I have a friend who is a manager at a tanning salon and constantly uses the beds. I tell her it's not good for her, but she gives me the same argument as presented in myth #1. I'm going to forward this post to her right now, haha. Thanks for sharing...I actually work with a program called Chef's Diet, and we specialize in bringing healthy meals made from fresh produce and lean meats, straight to people's doors. We even have diets that cater to persons with special needs, such as low sugar and gluten free. If anyone is interested, please visit http://www.mychefsdiet.com for more information!

MS Silva said...

Great info ! valuable post, If you know. how to tan faster then Share with me.
Thanks