The International Federation of Pigment Cell Societies (IFPCS) and the Society for Melanoma Research printed papers in their journal, Pigment Cell and Melanoma Research regarding the correlation between "tanning" and skin cancer. These researchers and scientists from the fields of science ranging from Cell Biology to Dermatology, and everything else in between stated that tanning beds are off limits to minors, and that they are unsafe, after conducting large amounts of research. Ultra-Violet Radiation (UV Rays) emitted not only from the sun, but from these tanning beds, harm DNA... causing genetic deformations...causing skin cancer. Thus there is no "safe" way to tan.
Many could argue that this isn't a technological advancement; but just because we are not progressing, a discovery based off of research and facts were made. Scientists were able to find a cause to one of the most detrimental health related problems to humans and able to state the cause worldwide. "They have estimated that, in the year 2000, up to 71,000 deaths worldwide were attributed to excessive UV exposure." (1) With these new proposed laws, and the knowledge of the harm UV rays can cause, I would expect to see less cases of melanoma and deaths due to skin cancer.
Sources:
1. http://www.labnews.co.uk/laboratory_article.php/3815/2/no-such-thing-as-a-safe-tan
2. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/glossary=ultravioletrays
3. http://science.hw.nasa.gov/kids/imagers/ems/uv.html
Picture:
4. http://greenerpractices.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/tanning-bed.jpg
I think the article is very important to our society that is obsessed with tanning. I think that we all know that tanning beds were never good for our bodies but the fact that excess exposure to the sun is also harmful is frightening because I love being in the sun just as much as the next person. This article shows the reality of tanning beds as well as the importance of sun screen. Hopefully this discovery will lead to less people infected with skin cancer.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is wonderful insight that i lacked knowledge of until now. the number of deaths from just tanning is unreal to me. As Rachel previously stated, we all knew that tanning was good for us, but not the extent that is displayed by Mr.Kuhn's article. The UV rays damage is a lot more effective than once thought. As such, we should be able to learn even more and hopefully figure out cures for skin conditions like melanoma, etc.. EVERYONE DON"T GO TO TANNING BEDS!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting article since there are a lot of people I know who feel the need to go to tanning beds constantly. Like the previous two people have stated, I too did not know the true extent of damage UV rays could do, and it's a lot. Since scientists have found a direct correlation between skin cancer and tanning, people need to take note of it and prevent themselves from cancer. Most people with cancer did nothing to get it, but many people with skin cancer probably could have prevented it. The moral: don't go to tanning beds and wear sunscreen!
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