Tiamat
04-08-2009, 11:01 AM
CALGARY - A top Alberta public health official said Wednesday governments should consider tighter regulations on tanning beds after an international cancer agency classified ultraviolet tanning devices as a high-level cancer risk.
The new report published in the Lancet health journal also suggests people who start using tanning devices at a young age have a greater chance of developing skin cancer -- leading to renewed debate about whether youths under 18 should be banned from using tanning beds.
"One of the things that could be done, is that children could be prohibited from using them," said Dr. Gerry Predy, a medical officer of health for Alberta Health Services. "From a health perspective, I would probably advocate for that."
The Canadian Dermatology Association said it wants governments to pass legislation prohibiting anyone under 18 from using tanning beds.
But Doug McNabb, the president of Calgary-based Fabutan, said the dangers are being overblown, adding the Lancet report was based on analysis of previous studies.
"The studies are hand-selected to make sure the message is what they want," said McNabb.
"There are a host of other studies showing no association with melanoma and tan beds," added McNabb, who speaks for an association representing indoor tanning salons
The debate follows an analysis from the World Health Organization's cancer research agency that raised UV-tanning devices to the highest risk group for radiation, meaning they are considered "carcinogenic to humans."
The report also concluded the risk of melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer, increases by 75 per cent when people start using tanning devices before age 30.
Experts said the Lancet article is significant because it's the first time the International Agency for Research on Cancer has elevated the threat assessment for tanning beds.
"I don't recommend that anyone goes for tanning," said Dr. Richard Haber, head of the University of Calgary's division of dermatology and a spokesman with the Canadian Dermatology Association. "There's no such thing as a safe tan."
Angeline Webb, spokeswoman for the Canadian Cancer Society's Alberta division, said there has always been evidence that tanning devices might cause cancer, but she said the Lancet report confirms they are a carcinogen.
The report led the dermatology association and the Canadian Cancer Society to renew calls for a ban on youths using tanning beds--an issue Ottawa says is a provincial matter.
Currently, Alberta Health does not have rules governing the age of tanning salon clients.
While there are no government restrictions on the age of sunbed patrons, Fabutan's McNabb said his company has its own rules for young clients, including asking anyone under age 16 to be accompanied by a parent.
Predy said he's not aware of any provincial plans to develop formal rules around tanning beds, but he said it's important for Albertans to educate themselves about the issue.
"We want to get the message out to parents. If (teens) are thinking of using tanning beds, they should reconsider. Based on this evidence, they're putting themselves at risk."
The new report published in the Lancet health journal also suggests people who start using tanning devices at a young age have a greater chance of developing skin cancer -- leading to renewed debate about whether youths under 18 should be banned from using tanning beds.
"One of the things that could be done, is that children could be prohibited from using them," said Dr. Gerry Predy, a medical officer of health for Alberta Health Services. "From a health perspective, I would probably advocate for that."
The Canadian Dermatology Association said it wants governments to pass legislation prohibiting anyone under 18 from using tanning beds.
But Doug McNabb, the president of Calgary-based Fabutan, said the dangers are being overblown, adding the Lancet report was based on analysis of previous studies.
"The studies are hand-selected to make sure the message is what they want," said McNabb.
"There are a host of other studies showing no association with melanoma and tan beds," added McNabb, who speaks for an association representing indoor tanning salons
The debate follows an analysis from the World Health Organization's cancer research agency that raised UV-tanning devices to the highest risk group for radiation, meaning they are considered "carcinogenic to humans."
The report also concluded the risk of melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer, increases by 75 per cent when people start using tanning devices before age 30.
Experts said the Lancet article is significant because it's the first time the International Agency for Research on Cancer has elevated the threat assessment for tanning beds.
"I don't recommend that anyone goes for tanning," said Dr. Richard Haber, head of the University of Calgary's division of dermatology and a spokesman with the Canadian Dermatology Association. "There's no such thing as a safe tan."
Angeline Webb, spokeswoman for the Canadian Cancer Society's Alberta division, said there has always been evidence that tanning devices might cause cancer, but she said the Lancet report confirms they are a carcinogen.
The report led the dermatology association and the Canadian Cancer Society to renew calls for a ban on youths using tanning beds--an issue Ottawa says is a provincial matter.
Currently, Alberta Health does not have rules governing the age of tanning salon clients.
While there are no government restrictions on the age of sunbed patrons, Fabutan's McNabb said his company has its own rules for young clients, including asking anyone under age 16 to be accompanied by a parent.
Predy said he's not aware of any provincial plans to develop formal rules around tanning beds, but he said it's important for Albertans to educate themselves about the issue.
"We want to get the message out to parents. If (teens) are thinking of using tanning beds, they should reconsider. Based on this evidence, they're putting themselves at risk."