ENC 1102

Student’s Name

Due Date

Table of Contents

Introduction Page 3

Research Plan Page 4

Results of Study Pages 4-5

Discussion of Results Pages 5-6

Recommendations Page 6

Works Cited Page 7

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to educate high school students on the increased risk of cancer due to tanning from a tanning bed or booth. This report will inform high school students of the studies and information that they need to make an informed decision about how they treat their bodies with exposure to UV rays. Students need to be informed of the dangers associated with the tanning bed contributing to skin cancer. The research plan utilized Florida Southwestern State College’s online library. The library housed tons of information on the increased risk of skin cancer due to tanning beds. Melanoma is increasing in young women aged 15-34. First exposure to indoor tanning before 35 years was associated with a concerning 75% increased risk of developing melanoma. Research indicates that there are many options out there for people to tan indoors, some are better options than others. High school students need to be educated on the dangers of increased exposure to UV rays and the lasting, damaging effects that it has on their bodies and skin.

Introduction

The allure of the tanning bed is pronounced among high school students, especially teenage girls. They want to have the sun kissed glow on their skin in the least amount of time that they can achieve the results. High school students also need to understand the dangers of increased risk of skin cancer associated with using the tanning bed. “Every year, millions of people climb in various stages of undress into warm, glowing tanning beds, where during a typically 2-to 15-minure session they'll absorb a controlled dose of ultraviolet (UV) radiation at an intensity up to two to three time stronger than the sunlight striking the equator at noon. The tanning industry has grown rapidly since the 1980s, rising to an estimated 28 million users in the United States. This rise has been accompanied by an increase in diagnoses of skin cancer.” (Schmidt) “Over the last four decades, the availability of, and access to, indoor tanning has increased dramatically. The first commercial tanning center in the United States opened in Arkansas in the 1970s. Over the next few decades, indoor tanning became increasingly popular.” (Woo) “Before, UV tanning devices such as tanning beds and tanning lamps had been listed as "probably" causing cancer. UV tanning bed use, depending on the exposure level, is now included with a list of other activities or exposures known to cause cancer.” (Smith) Hopefully, this report will educate high school students about the danger and consequences of using tanning beds and booths.

Research Plan

In order to find the most valuable and valid information, the Florida Southwestern State College’s online library was utilized. The library provided access to academic journals, articles, and dermatology periodicals. The college’s library was a great place to find reliable information where the authors were easy to find. The articles and periodicals gave stats on studies that had been done concerning cancer and the tanning beds. The library offers articles on alternatives to tanning beds and booths, such as spray tans and tanning lotions. There are also articles on doctors’ recommendations about the health of skin.

Results of Study

“Melanoma is increasing in some groups. According to the American Cancer

Society data, the sharpest increases in melanoma have occurred in young white women 15 to 34.” (Smith) “Of note, based on seven of the included reports, first exposure to indoor tanning before 35 years was associated with a concerning 75% increased risk of developing melanoma (RR 1.75, 95% CI 1.35–2.26). The present study provides the most extensive evidence to date of the risk of melanoma associated with indoor tanning and supports that young adults should be discouraged from using indoor tanning equipment.” (Woo) “Statistics such as these have prompted 33 U.S. states and some municipalities to ban or restrict indoor tanning among children under age 18. California's ban, signed into law in October 2011, was the first, followed by Vermont in April 2012 and the city of Chicago the following June. Other states have introduced legislation to limit indoor tanning among minors.” (Schmidt)

FIG. 1. The tanning pathway. Ultraviolet (UV) damage activates the p53 pathway, and p53-dependent factors such as proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene derivatives and other proinflammatory cytokines are required for the tanning response. POMC derivates such as alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone facilitate the tanning response by signaling through the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) on the melanocyte. (Reproduced, with permission, from the New England Journal of Medicine and originally appeared in Barsh and Attardi. (Woo)

Discussion of Results

Research indicates that there are many options out there for people to tan indoors, some are better options than others. Spray tans are healthier for skin as the skin is not getting a huge dose of UV rays in a short amount of time, but the skin will come out with a sun kissed tan. There is an increase in the risk of cancer with the use of indoor tanning beds. Tanning beds have the same UV rays as the sun and the skin is getting a lot of exposure in a short amount of time.  It is clear that exposing the body to UV rays plays an important role in the increased risk of skin cancer. Tanning also causes wrinkles, the things that women try to avoid later in life. There are laws put into place to help protect minors from the dangers, but these laws are not always enforced. High school students need to be educated on the dangers of increased exposure to UV rays and the lasting, damaging effects that it has on their bodies and skin.

Recommendations

The safest route will always be to use sunscreen anytime that skin will be exposed to UV rays. Sunscreen protects skin against harmful UV rays and helps prevent the damage that sun can do skin now and in the future. There are many alternatives to tanning beds and booths that are much safer for the skin. ”If you insist on tanning, experts say spray-on glows are much safer than tanning beds.” (Narayan) High school students can achieve the same sun kissed glow with spray tans that do not subject skin to the harm of UV rays. “When telling teens about tanning, hit them where it hurts -- their vanity. Remind them it's a one-way ticket to Wrinkleville.” (Satyanarayana ) The safest route will always be to use sunscreen anytime that the skin will be exposed to UV rays. Schools and parents should spend time educating young people on the dangers of UV exposure and the increased chances they will have regarding skin cancer.

Works Cited

Narayan, Adi. "Teen Tanning." Time 174.14 (2009): 53-55. Military & Government Collection. Web. 22 July 2015.

Satyanarayana, Megha. "10 Hot Tips to Save Your Skin: What Doctors Say You must Know about Sunscreen, Tanning Beds and Skin Cancer." McClatchy - Tribune Business News: 1. Jul 02 2007. ProQuest. Web. 22 July 2015 .

Schmidt, Charles W. "UA radiation & skin cancer: the science behind age restrictions for tanning beds." Environmental Health Perspectives 120.8 (2012): A308+. Academic OneFile. Web. 22 July 2015.

Smith, Tammie. "Tanning Beds and Skin Cancer there is Reason to Worry." McClatchy - Tribune Business NewsAug 01 2009. ProQuest. Web. 22 July 2015 .

Woo, Denise K, and Melody J Eide. "Tanning Beds, Skin Cancer, And Vitamin D: An Examination Of The Scientific Evidence And Public Health Implications." Dermatologic Therapy 23.1 (2010): 61-71. MEDLINE with Full Text. Web. 22 July 2015.

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