Call for end of marketing and commercial use of sunbeds

May 20, 2015

Abstract

Vogel et al. (see source below) provide another demonstration that the risk from sunbed use is not limited to skin-sensitive populations and shows increased risk even in those not having experienced sunburns in their lifetimes. It counters the argument frequently put forward by the indoor tanning industry that indoor tanning prevents sunburn and adds further evidence of the carcinogenicity of indoor tanning.

We are, however, concerned that those who consider vitamin D as a protective agent for cancer and thus defend sunbed use, might misinterpret the decline in odds ratio for increasing burns and consider that the increasing burns diminished the effect of sunbed use, hence providing “protection.”

Source:

Boniol, M, et al. RE: Exposure to Indoor Tanning Without Burning and Melanoma Risk by Sunburn History. JNCI J Natl Cancer Inst (2015) 107(5): djv102 doi: 10.1093/jnci/djv102 http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/107/5/djv102.extract

See: Vogel, RI, et al. Exposure to Indoor Tanning Without Burning and Melanoma Risk by Sunburn History. JNCI J Natl Cancer Inst (2014) 106(7): dju219doi: 10.1093/jnci/dju219 http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/106/7/dju219.abstract