http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32187497/ns/health-cancer/ wrote:
LONDON - International cancer experts have moved tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation into the top cancer riskcategory, deeming them as deadly as ******* and mustard gas.
For years, scientists have described tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation as "probable carcinogens."
A new analysis of about 20 studies concludes the risk of skin cancer jumps by 75 percent when people start using tanning beds before age 30. Experts also found that all types of ultraviolet radiation caused worrying mutations in mice, proof the radiation is carcinogenic. Previously, only one type of ultraviolet radiation was thought to be lethal.
The new classification means tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation are definite causes of cancer, alongside tobacco, the hepatitis B virus and chimney sweeping, among others.
...
The classification of tanning beds as carcinogenic was disputed by Kathy Banks, chief executive of The Sunbed Association, a European trade association of tanning bed makers and operators.
"The fact that is continuously ignored is that there is no proven link between the responsible use of sunbeds and skin cancer," Banks said in a statement. She said most users of tanning beds use them less than 20 times a year.
For years, scientists have described tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation as "probable carcinogens."
A new analysis of about 20 studies concludes the risk of skin cancer jumps by 75 percent when people start using tanning beds before age 30. Experts also found that all types of ultraviolet radiation caused worrying mutations in mice, proof the radiation is carcinogenic. Previously, only one type of ultraviolet radiation was thought to be lethal.
The new classification means tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation are definite causes of cancer, alongside tobacco, the hepatitis B virus and chimney sweeping, among others.
...
The classification of tanning beds as carcinogenic was disputed by Kathy Banks, chief executive of The Sunbed Association, a European trade association of tanning bed makers and operators.
"The fact that is continuously ignored is that there is no proven link between the responsible use of sunbeds and skin cancer," Banks said in a statement. She said most users of tanning beds use them less than 20 times a year.
Now, things that stand out to me. It's been proven that UV radiation from tanning beds can cause mutations in mice. I always wonder... how much radiation do these mice get?
I just used a tanning chamber (not a bed) for the first time last week. It was a weird experience. If I ever get trapped in a nuclear reactor, I think it'll look similar. That said, I was only in it for 10 minutes, and while my skin was a little red (but not majorly red and no pain at all) the next day, by two days later there was no trace of a burn. I was thinking using the bed once a week or so might not be bad. However, I can find no concrete figures on what a "safe" tanning amount is. I'm thinking the answer might be "never." Anyone know? Best I can find is "no more than once or twice a week, and never for more than 15 minutes."