American molecular biologists have proven that repeated use of tanning devices doubles the rate of mutation accumulation in skin pigment cells, significantly increasing the risk of melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer, according to the Northwestern University Press Center.
Professor Badram Gherami from Northwestern University said: "There is a warning on every pack of cigarettes stating that smoking them may lead to cancer. We must unite and convince society that tanning devices should carry a similar warning label. This is particularly important because the World Health Organization has long considered these devices to be a serious carcinogen, like asbestos and cigarettes."
Scientists reached this conclusion after studying the medical records of more than 32,000 patients who visited the dermatology department at Northwestern University Clinic. The researchers noted that a significant number of young female patients, under the age of 50, had previously been diagnosed with melanoma or other forms of skin cancer.
Approximately 7,500 visitors to the department informed doctors that they had used tanning beds in the recent or distant past. Researchers used this patient data and skin samples to assess the effects of tanning on the DNA of skin cells.
Scientists compared the number of mutations in skin cells of 3,000 patients who regularly used tanning beds with a similar number of volunteers who did not use such devices. The results showed that frequent visits to tanning beds doubled the rate of mutation accumulation in pigment cells, and this occurred throughout the body, not just in areas typically exposed to sunlight.
As a result, the risk of melanoma increases significantly, with 5.1% of patients who used tanning beds detected, compared to only 2.1% of volunteers who did not. Furthermore, melanoma appears in tanning beds in areas of skin usually hidden under clothing, reinforcing the need to restrict minors' access to tanning beds and impose other stricter regulations.
