With an abundance of sunshine in the summer, many flock to tanning booths to achieve a base tan before a beach trip. But a danger lies in exposure, the country's top doctor has warned.
In a report released Tuesday, Acting Surgeon General Dr. Boris Lushniak called for Americans to reduce their exposure to ultraviolet rays, whether from the sun or tanning bed, to prevent increased chances of developing the most common cancer, skin cancer, which is largely preventable.
In his call to action, Lushniak cited how each year in America nearly 5 million people undergo treatment for all forms of skin cancer at an estimated cost of $8.1 billion annually.
Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said in the report that every year nearly one out of every three white women from the ages of 16 to 25 tans indoors.
The problem, Koh said, is excessive and unnecessary exposure.
"While those with lighter skin are more susceptible, anyone can get skin cancer — and it can be serious, even deadly," Koh said in the report. "As a skin oncologist who worked in this field for many years, I have cared for both young and old with skin cancers. Almost all of the conditions were caused by unnecessary ultraviolet ... radiation exposure, usually from excessive time in the sun or from the use of indoor tanning devices."
But J2 Tanning owner Justin Carpenter said tanning in moderation is key.
"We encourage safe, moderate tanning," Carpenter said. "We really watch the time. We don't want our clients to burn. That's where we feel the real issue is, when people are burning."
Although the Michigan Department of Community Health, or MDCH, doesn't condemn indoor tanning, MDCH Public Information Officer Angela Minicuci said the organization does want tanners to understand the risks.
"They are a lot of myths about tanning, for instance a lot of people discuss getting a base tan before a vacation," Minicuci said. "There's no really true way to protect your skin. All a base tan is is damage to your skin — the initial damage done to your skin prior to exposing yourself to more damage."
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