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HHS HealthBeat (November 30, 2011)

Teen tan trouble

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Studies have found that indoor tanning is linked to skin cancer, including melanoma, which is the most aggressive form. But many people still tan indoors, and researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say teenagers are among them.

Gery Guy looked at national survey data on high school students:

``Overall, about 16 percent of students reported using an indoor tanning device in the past year, with a quarter of girls reporting indoor tanning.’’ (7 seconds)

Guy says many students said they were frequent indoor tanners – almost half said they did it 10 or more times a year.

The risk of skin cancer from sunlight or indoor tanning can rise with the amount someone tans.

The study is in the journal Preventing Chronic Disease.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: November 30, 2011