Indoor Tanning Association Responds
to Flawed Study on Links between Indoor Tanning and Skin Cancer
1/12/2006 2:18:00 PM
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To: National Desk, Health Reporter
Contact: Melissa Haynes, 202-367-1219, for the Indoor Tanning Association,
mhaynes@theita.com
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Following is a statement
from the Indoor Tanning Association in response to a study on a
suggested link between indoor tanning and skin cancer:
We were deeply disappointed by the misrepresentations in the Journal
of Dermatology special article "The Indoor UV Tanning Industry:
A Review of Skin Cancer Risk, Health Benefit Claims and Regulation,"
(j.jaad.2005.07.066) and the accompanying release by the American
Academy of Dermatology.
There are several, significant and misleading flaws in this article.
First, the authors admit that they have not conducted a systematic
review of the relevant literature. If they had done so, they would
have learned that 18 of 22 previous studies conducted in the last
twenty years, on the relationship between UV light and melanoma
show that there is no link between indoor tanning and the likelihood
of developing melanoma.
Second, the authors have consistently overestimated the prevalence
of sunbed use by people under the age of 18. Indoor tanning industry
figures continue to show that fewer than five percent of indoor
tanners are under the age of 18. Further, the Indoor Tanning Association
continues to educate its members on the importance of signed parental
consent for any person under the age of 18 who wishes to tan. Whether
or not a young person tans is a decision that he or she should make
in conjunction with his/her parents. It is not a decision in which
the government has any role.
The authors continue to dismiss the results of a wide range, of
credible and peer reviewed studies that indicate the substantial
link between regular, moderate exposure to UV light, the subsequent
vitamin D production, and the prevention of a wide variety of cancers
and conditions such osteoporosis.
In the past month, researchers at the University of California
San Diego (UCSD) Medical Center reported that vitamin D can dramatically
lower the risk of developing common types of cancers. In fact, the
report says taking the right amount of vitamin D can cut the chances
of getting breast, ovarian, even colon cancer from one-third to
a half. The UCSD researchers call for prompt public health action
to increase intake of vitamin D3 as an inexpensive tool for prevention
of diseases that claim millions of lives each year.
Finally, in its release, the AAD estimates that there are 365,000,000
visits each year to tanning salons and states that according to
the Centers for Disease Control, there are 700 emergency room visits
due to injuries from tanning bed use. This is an astounding injury
incidence rate of .0000019; and a safety record for which all industries
should strive to achieve.
It is disappointing that a respected journal such as the Journal
of Dermatology has chosen to publish an article based entirely on
a narrative review of the literature and that clearly serves no
other purpose than to further its political agenda.
Over the past six weeks, there have been daily reports in the media
about the importance sun exposure and vitamin D in overall good
health, especially the role of vitamin D in preventing cancer. The
truth is exposing the flaws in the Academy's message about the sun.
The fact is that after 25 years of a highly successful and well
financed public relations campaign to scare us out of the sun, a
significant number of Americans are suffering ill-health from that
advice. The truth is finally evident and the American Academy of
Dermatology is stuck in the dark ages.
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