U of M study links tanning beds to higher risk of skin cancerby
Lorna Benson, Minnesota Public Radio St. Paul, Minn. — For the
first time ever, a study has found a definitive link between
indoor tanning and melanoma. The study by University of
Minnesota researchers found a strong association between
tanning-device use and the most serious form of skin cancer.
Researchers found that people who use any type of tanning
device, for any amount of time, are 74 percent more likely to
develop a melanoma. The University of Minnesota study is
published in the online edition of "Cancer Epidemiology,
Biomarkers and Prevention," a journal of the American
Association for Cancer Research. Epidemiologist DeAnn Lazovich
hopes her findings will convince the public -- especially young
people -- to give up indoor tanning. She also thinks the
findings make a strong case for tightening restrictions on
tanning devices. "Ultraviolet radiation, whether it comes from
the sun or it comes from artificial devices like indoor tanning,
is