The Journal of Simplified Cancer Research (JSCR) - New Article Release
Tanning and Melanoma Risk
By Emily U. Taskin, RN and Ayguen Sahin, MSc, PhD | Cancer Education and Research Institute (CERI)

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancer types in the USA and affects thousands each year (1,3).
It has three most common forms:
1) Basal Cell Carcinoma;
2) Squamous Cell Carcinoma – both classified as non-melanoma cancer; and
3) Melanoma.
Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. Although less common, it causes the majority (75%) of deaths related to skin cancer. (For more information on melanoma and sun protection, watch our ‘Cancer Types’ and ‘Sun Protection’ Videos.)
The association between melanoma and tanning -either indoor or outdoor- provides a quest for prevention from skin cancer. What is skin cancer, in particular, Melanoma? Why does tanning increase the risk of skin cancer? How shall we protect ourselves from harmful UV lights of tanning beds? This article will seek to answer these questions with reference to demographic and scientific data from most recent studies about skin cancer and tanning.
It has three most common forms:
1) Basal Cell Carcinoma;
2) Squamous Cell Carcinoma – both classified as non-melanoma cancer; and
3) Melanoma.
Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. Although less common, it causes the majority (75%) of deaths related to skin cancer. (For more information on melanoma and sun protection, watch our ‘Cancer Types’ and ‘Sun Protection’ Videos.)
The association between melanoma and tanning -either indoor or outdoor- provides a quest for prevention from skin cancer. What is skin cancer, in particular, Melanoma? Why does tanning increase the risk of skin cancer? How shall we protect ourselves from harmful UV lights of tanning beds? This article will seek to answer these questions with reference to demographic and scientific data from most recent studies about skin cancer and tanning.
Skin consists of three layers:
a) epidermis, the outmost layer of skin, which contains melanocyte cells that produces melanin pigment to color skin and hair;
b) dermis, which is largest layer of skin; and
c) the inner layer of the skin, which is the subcutaneous tissue.
a) epidermis, the outmost layer of skin, which contains melanocyte cells that produces melanin pigment to color skin and hair;
b) dermis, which is largest layer of skin; and
c) the inner layer of the skin, which is the subcutaneous tissue.
Skin cancer arises from the outer layer of the skin. Melanoma occurs when a genetic defect develops on the DNA of a melanocyte cell in the epidermis. This genetic defect is mostly caused from the exposure by Ultraviolet lights (UVA and UVB) (3,11). Although the incidence rate of melanoma is lower than non-melanoma skin cancer, melanoma appears as the deadliest among other skin cancer types. It is also more difficult to cure, and can spread to other parts of the body (it can metastasize, thus also known as metastatic melanoma) (9, 10).
A newly released report by Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that melanoma rate is doubled over the last decades, and it is expected to increase by 2030. In 2011, more than 65,000 melanoma skin cancers were diagnosed in the USA (1). In addition, according to the report of Cancer Epidemiologists from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), melanoma is the most common cancer type among young adults as of age between 25-29 (7).
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Tanning
Tanning either indoor beds or direct exposure to sunlight is one of the leading risk factors of melanoma. As a matter of the fact, a tan is a result of the protective reaction of skin against UV lights. Indeed, UV lights suppress the immune system as well as damages the skin, and can cause premature skin aging (1, 8).
Tanning either indoor beds or direct exposure to sunlight is one of the leading risk factors of melanoma. As a matter of the fact, a tan is a result of the protective reaction of skin against UV lights. Indeed, UV lights suppress the immune system as well as damages the skin, and can cause premature skin aging (1, 8).
The misconception of tanning being a sign of healthier skin is prevalent among people, and it is a great challenge for public health institutions and experts to deal with. Studies indicate that the prevalence of indoor tanning is high among young adults, and public health experts are concerned with this prevalence as exposure to, and frequent contact with, UV lights in such early ages is linked to increase the risk and the rate of melanoma (4,6.8). Another recent study indicates that public awareness about tanning might be the reason of significant decrease at indoor tanning popularity among young adults. Nevertheless, the same study also informs an estimated 7.8 million women and 1.9 million men continue to engage in indoor tanning despite the decrease at indoor tanning popularity. (5)
Protect your skin
Proper skin protection is undoubtedly crucial for avoiding skin cancer. UV exposure is a modifiable factor that can cause cancer, which is attributed to increase the risk of melanoma throughout the life span. Therefore, decreasing the exposure time and frequency to direct UV lights is obviously one of the most important ways to protect the skin. To prevent skin cancer, it helps to have appropriate and basic precautions for avoiding UV lights:
Proper skin protection is undoubtedly crucial for avoiding skin cancer. UV exposure is a modifiable factor that can cause cancer, which is attributed to increase the risk of melanoma throughout the life span. Therefore, decreasing the exposure time and frequency to direct UV lights is obviously one of the most important ways to protect the skin. To prevent skin cancer, it helps to have appropriate and basic precautions for avoiding UV lights:
- Applying broad-spectrum any SPF sunscreen products to any areas of the body that is exposed to direct sunlight is the leading precaution for skin protection.
- Sunscreen productions should be reapplied every two hours as well as after swimming session and/or evaporation.
- Some cover up options should always be considered such as wide-brimmed hats, protective clothes, sunglasses, and even an umbrella.
- Spending limited time under direct sunlight between 10:00am to 4:00pm, or seeking for shade between those hours can lower the risk of skin cancer (1, 9, 10, 12).
Skin cancer is a serious challenge and a great endeavor for the patients. And tanning is one of the several risk factors of melanoma along with family history, biological characteristics, socioeconomic status, and intense sun exposure over the life span (3). Increasing the awareness about the harmful affect of tanning will surely promote an attitude change by which the appropriate practices for reduction of UV light exposure can be taken (1, 5). While enjoying the sunny days of summer, or being exposed to the UV lights in the winter, stay protected and healthy.
Reference:
1- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Rates of new melanomas – deadlyskin cancers – have doubled over last three decades. Avaliable at: http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2015/p0602-melanoma-cancer.html
2- Pagoto S.L., Lemon S.C., Oleski J.L., Scully J.M., Olendzki G., Evans M.M., Li W., L. Florence C., Kirkland B., Hillhouse J.J. Availability of Tanning Beds on US College 3-Trends in Indoor Tanning Among US High School Students, JAMA Dermatol. 2015;151(1):59-63
3- Smeltzer, SC., Bare, BG. Management of patients with dermatologic problems chapter 56, Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 10th Edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins,2005. USA
4- Colantonio S., Bracken M.B., Beecker J. The association of indoor tanning and melanoma in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 May; 70(5):847-57
5- Gery P. Guy, Zahava Berkowitz, Dawn M. Holman, Anne M. Hartman. Recent Changes in the Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Frequency of Indoor Tanning Among US Adults. JAMA Dermatology, 2015; DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2015.1568
6- Wehner MR, Chren MM, Nameth D, Choudhry A, Gaskins M, Nead KT, Boscardin WJ, Linos E. International Prevalence of Indoor Tanning A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis, JAMA Dermatol. 2014 Apr;150(4):390-400.
7- National Cancer institution. Cancer Epidemiology in Older Adolescents and Young Adults 15 to 29 Years of Age, Including SEER Incidence and Survival: 1975-2000 Available at: http://seer.cancer.gov/archive/publications/aya/
8- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Indoor Tanning is not Safe. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/indoor_tanning.htm
9- American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures, 2014. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@research/documents/webcontent/acspc-042151.pdf
10- Jeter J., Preventive Oncology; Modifiable Risk Factors. Medscape, editor Harris J.E Available at: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1349338-overview#a3
11- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). What Is Skin Cancer? Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/what-is-skin-cancer.htm
12- US. Food and Drug Administration, US Department of Health and Human Services. Sun Protection.Avalialbe at:
http://www.fda.gov/RadiationEmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/Tanning/ucm116445.htm
13- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanoma#/media/File:Melanoma.jpg
1- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Rates of new melanomas – deadlyskin cancers – have doubled over last three decades. Avaliable at: http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2015/p0602-melanoma-cancer.html
2- Pagoto S.L., Lemon S.C., Oleski J.L., Scully J.M., Olendzki G., Evans M.M., Li W., L. Florence C., Kirkland B., Hillhouse J.J. Availability of Tanning Beds on US College 3-Trends in Indoor Tanning Among US High School Students, JAMA Dermatol. 2015;151(1):59-63
3- Smeltzer, SC., Bare, BG. Management of patients with dermatologic problems chapter 56, Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 10th Edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins,2005. USA
4- Colantonio S., Bracken M.B., Beecker J. The association of indoor tanning and melanoma in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 May; 70(5):847-57
5- Gery P. Guy, Zahava Berkowitz, Dawn M. Holman, Anne M. Hartman. Recent Changes in the Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Frequency of Indoor Tanning Among US Adults. JAMA Dermatology, 2015; DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2015.1568
6- Wehner MR, Chren MM, Nameth D, Choudhry A, Gaskins M, Nead KT, Boscardin WJ, Linos E. International Prevalence of Indoor Tanning A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis, JAMA Dermatol. 2014 Apr;150(4):390-400.
7- National Cancer institution. Cancer Epidemiology in Older Adolescents and Young Adults 15 to 29 Years of Age, Including SEER Incidence and Survival: 1975-2000 Available at: http://seer.cancer.gov/archive/publications/aya/
8- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Indoor Tanning is not Safe. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/indoor_tanning.htm
9- American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures, 2014. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@research/documents/webcontent/acspc-042151.pdf
10- Jeter J., Preventive Oncology; Modifiable Risk Factors. Medscape, editor Harris J.E Available at: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1349338-overview#a3
11- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). What Is Skin Cancer? Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/what-is-skin-cancer.htm
12- US. Food and Drug Administration, US Department of Health and Human Services. Sun Protection.Avalialbe at:
http://www.fda.gov/RadiationEmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/Tanning/ucm116445.htm
13- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanoma#/media/File:Melanoma.jpg
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