Basal Cell Carcinoma at a Young Age: Another Consequence of Tanning Beds

Tanning bed users younger than 40 developed early-onset BCCs significantly more often than nonusers.

Over the past 4 decades, the incidence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has increased markedly, particularly in women under the age of 40. This increase coincides with the more frequent use by the public of tanning beds for cosmetic purposes. Estimates suggest as many as one third of teenagers in the U.S. have used tanning beds at least once, and 40% regularly use this means of tanning. Although good epidemiological evidence associates tanning bed use with cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and melanomas, the effect on BCCs has been less certain. Investigators examined the development of BCCs in young tanning bed users.

The researchers compared interview responses by 376 patients with prior history of biopsy-proven BCC and 390 patients w…

Reviewing Author

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)