Melanoma Rates Increasing Due to Tanning Bed Use

Author: AORN Journal

Currently, men are diagnosed with melanoma more often than women, and more men die from the disease, according to a June 7, 2000, news release from Reuters Health Information. This trend may be changing as the result of tanning bed use among young women.

Research study statistics show that 71% of tanning bed users between the ages of 16 and 29 are female. Most damage caused by the sun occurs between the ages of 16 and 20, as younger people tend to deny the dangers of sun exposure and their skin is more vulnerable. One possible protection women have against melanoma may be estrogen.

North American studies show in the past 20 years, 75% of melanoma in men was diagnosed at a very late stage when the disease had metastasized. Reasons for this trend are unclear. Possible reasons include the fact that men are reluctant to seek medical treatment and generally are not as aware of melanoma as women.

Young Women at Increasing Risk for Melanoma (news release, Hilton Head, SC: Reuters Health Information, June 7, 2000) 1-2. Available from http://www.medscape.com/ reuters/prof/2000/06/06.07/20000607epid006.html. Accessed 9 June 2000....

Pregnancy and Tanning Beds