Indoor Tanning Beds: A Serious Threat to Public Health William D. James, MD, FAAD President American Academy of Dermatology Association March 25, 2010

Tanning Beds & Skin Cancer Dermatologists treat millions of skin cancer cases every year. Tanning beds are cosmetic devices that carry a serious and well-demonstrated cancer risk. The AADA believes tanning beds require increased regulation.

The International Regulatory Climate June 2009: Germany prohibits the use of tanning beds by minors under the age of 18. July 2009: IARC report reclassifies UV radiation from tanning devices as “Group 1: carcinogenic to humans.” –WHO has recommended for years that minors under the age of 18 be prohibited from using tanning devices. November 2009: Brazil’s ANVISA prohibits the use and sale of tanning beds for cosmetic purposes.

Who is at Highest Risk? 70 percent of the 1 million indoor tanners a day are women. Most tanners are between the ages of 16 and percent of adolescent girls aged have used a tanning bed at least once in the previous year.

UV Radiation from Tanning Beds is Firmly Linked to Skin Cancer Based on a meta-analysis, ever-use of tanning devices was positively associated with melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Even minimal exposure to UV radiation from tanning beds before the age of 35 can increase the risk of developing melanoma by 75 percent. IARC. International Journal of Cancer: 2006 March 1;120:

Indoor Tanning and Risk from UV Radiation UVB UVA Direct DNA damage Indirect DNA damage through chromophores Burns Cataracts Ocular melanoma Photodermatoses rb Direct DNA damage Non-melanoma skin cancers Melanoma Immunosuppression Photoaging

Tanning Beds Pose Significant Risk AADA urges the FDA to: Ban the use and sale of tanning beds in the United States. At a minimum, the safety of the public requires: –Reclassification of tanning devices to the strongest possible category; –Restricted access to tanning beds by minors; –Informed consent for all consumers; –Posted warning statements –Implementation and enforcement of labeling recommendations from the TAN Act; and, –Enforcement of additional state regulations.

Thank You William D. James, MD, FAAD President American Academy of Dermatology Association 1445 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 800 Washington, District of Columbia Phone: (202) Fax: (202)