Tanning Beds Do Not Prevent Internal Malignancies

Flawed reasoning prompts some claims in the affirmative.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has concluded that tanning beds pose a significant risk for melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer (NEJM JW Dermatol Jul 30 2009). However, some have postulated that these devices may protect against internal malignancies, presumably by increasing the synthesis of vitamin D. To examine this issue, investigators studied data collected from the Nurses' Health Study II.

During 20 years of follow-up, 4271 nonskin malignancies were diagnosed in the study participants. In those who had used tanning beds at least 4 times per year during high school, college, or between the ages of 25 and 35, tanning bed use was not associated with any reduction in development of internal malignancies (hazard ratio, 0.99…

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)