Minneapolis — A new study shows that people who use high-speed/high-intensity indoor tanning beds run the highest risk of melanoma, HealthDay News reports.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota surveyed 1,167 subjects diagnosed with invasive cutaneous melanoma from 2004 to 2007, as well as a demographically matched control group of 1,101 subjects. The two groups were asked about their experience with indoor tanning equipment, type of equipment used, age of initiation, length of use, period of use, doses and any tanning-caused burns.
Among the melanoma group, 62.9 percent of subjects had used indoor tanning equipment compared with 51.1 percent in the control group. Among those who had used indoor tanning equipment even for a short time, there was a 74 percent increased risk of melanoma.
Risk odds were highest among those who had used high-pressure (UVA-emitting) tanning devices and high-speed/high-intensity (UVB-enhanced) devices than among those who used sunlamps or conventional tanning equipment.
There was a strong dose-response relationship between melanoma risk measured in total hours, sessions or years spent tanning.
“In a highly exposed population, frequent indoor tanning increased melanoma risk, regardless of age when indoor tanning began. Elevated risks were observed across devices,” the authors conclude.
