Researchers expected a rise in skin cancer among young women—but
they didn't expect this: Between 1970 and 2009, melanoma became
eight times more common among women 18 to 39 and four times
higher among men in that age group, Time reports. "There is
currently a melanoma epidemic in the US, particularly in young
women and middle-aged men," notes a Mayo Clinic dermatologist
and researcher involved in the study. The increase among women
is likely tied to tanning salons, the experts say. "Tanning beds
can give you seven times the dose of UV radiation as the sun,"
the dermatologist notes, "but young adults are still going."
Indeed, the scientists back a ban on tanning beds, which have
been labeled carcinogens by an international cancer group. But
that's "like trying to ban cigarettes, it’s very hard," the
researcher acknowledges. While skin cancer rates are up,
mortality rates are actually getting better. So keep an eye on
your skin with self-exams, the researchers say. Click through
for guidelines.