Sherin

Can you become addicted to tanning?
http://www.komotv.com/news/health/6545842.html

Hello,

As a responsible Tanning salon owner in Washington State, I have a few issues with your article dated March 16, 2007, reported by Denise Whitaker.

First of all, I take issue with even the notion that tanning is addictive. There is basis for this if there were, I'd be rich, so it appears that the media is once again sensationalizing something without verifying facts. Can you explain why someone (Dr. Hornung) would refer to people as guinea pigs in a legitimate research project? Where is this study published, so the facts can be validated as qualified information?

It has long been known that Dermatologist have a monitary interest in the sunless tanning industry and also offer the same service (they call it a treatment) as tanning salons, but are allowed to charge $150 hour instead of $7.50 for 20 minutes.

In light of several recent studies that use quality research instead of using the same set of questions/personal records "kept for decades" I am surprized that the bigger issue for the media isn't how we have all been lied to for the last 3 decades regarding our health and Vitamin D production and UV exposure. As a last gasp, we have seen the Dermotology community's misrepresentation of the facts.
So the questions is "Why are you exploiting their misinformation?"

It has been proven that light therapy does make one feel better, however using this to twist the facts and say it is addictive is just wrong!

In regards to known carcenogins, the ACS has provided a list of things quite more dangerous and common than tanning.
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_1_3x_Known_and_Probable_Carcinogens. asp?sitearea=PED

And, list UV as "probable" not "known" See Group 2B
Probable Carcinogens


International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
"Probably Carcinogenic to Humans" (Group 2A)

Agents and Groups of Agents


Ultraviolet radiation A
Ultraviolet radiation B
Ultraviolet radiation C

As far as the comment by the good Doctor, maybe she would be interested in the recent studies that validate that Vitamin D production which is best synthesized by UV exposure is actually shown to stimulate the immune system, and fight breast, colon & prostrate cancers.

One of the interesting facts is that estimated skin cancer deaths for 2007 are 8110 for both sexes and is less than 1% of all cancer related deaths. http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/CAFF2007PWSecured.pdf

Recent articles that would seem to counter Dr. Hornung are posted below and warrant a reading.

Harvard / Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Study: Tanning Protects Against Skin Cancer
http://www.dana-farber.org/abo/news/...n-tanning.html
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Mental health experts say tanning could make people happier
http://www.kq2.com/news/default.asp?mode=shownews&id=4929
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Medical Research News
Published: Tuesday, 13-Feb-2007

Wearing sunscreen at all times when exposed could starve the body of vitamins which protect against various diseases, claim Edinburgh based scientists.
The news is reported in the latest edition of the Royal Society of Chemistry journal Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences. http://www.news-medical.net/?id=21894
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The Truth About Skin Cancer
It Is NOT Caused By The Sun
You NEED Sun For Vitamin D
Dr. William Sears
http://www.rense.com/general75/uv.htm
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The sun may actually fight skin cancer instead of causing it http://www.topcancernews.com/news/562/1/The-sun-may-actually-fight-skin-cancer-instead-of-causing-it
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Sunlight and Melanoma
The Surprising Connection
By William Campbell Douglass, MD

http://www.westonaprice.org/moderndiseases/sunlight-melanoma.html

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By John Fauber

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

MILWAUKEE - It seems too simple to be true: Expose most of your body to about 15 minutes of sunlight a day during the summer and take large doses of inexpensive vitamin D pills during the winter and maybe, just maybe, you will substantially reduce the risk of getting various cancers, the flu, diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune diseases and neurological disorders.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/nation/16766977.htm

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Radhika Panjwani
Feb 17, 2007
A University of Toronto at Mississauga campus professor is one of the recipients of the Ontario government's Early Researchers Award (ERA) this year.
Esteban J. Parra, an assistant Professor in Department of Anthropology at UTM, was recently awarded the ERA program for his work in exploring the relationship between pigmentation of the skin and Vitamin D levels in individuals.
http://www.mississauga.com/mi/people/story/3885029p-4493236c.html
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UVB induces the production of vitamin D in the skin, which helps the body use calcium to build bone tissue. An estimated tens of thousands of deaths occur in the United States annually from a variety of cancers due to vitamin D deficiency from insufficient UVB exposure.
'Invisible' UV radiation spans broad spectrum
http://starbulletin.com/2007/02/18/business/brill.html
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High levels of vitamin D reduce colorectal cancer risk
By Ben Wasserman - foodconsumer.org
Feb 7, 2007 - 7:58:27 PM
http://foodconsumer.org/7777/8888/C_ancer_31/020707582007_High_levels_of_vitamin_D_re duce_colorectal_cancer_risk.shtml **************************************** **************************************** *****************
Maintaining a high level of vitamin D in the blood may safely help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer drastically, according to a review published in the March issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid41850.asp

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People with the highest levels of a form of vitamin D in their blood have the lowest risk of breast cancer, according to a study in the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Put Down That Sunscreen

http://www.americanscientist.org/template/AssetDetail/assetid/54781

Vitamin D Backed For Cancer Prevention In Two New Studies
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http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070206100608.htm

Science Daily - Two new vitamin D studies using a sophisticated form of analysis called meta-analysis, in which data from multiple reports is combined, have revealed new prescriptions for possibly preventing up to half of the cases of breast cancer and two-thirds of the cases of colorectal cancer in the United States. The work was conducted by a core team of cancer prevention specialists at the Moores Cancer Center at University of California, San Diego (UCSD), and colleagues from both coasts.

I would appreciate it if you would stop with the misinformation and do some research on your own.

For the record, all of our Employees are "Smart Tan" Certified and educated regarding the tanning process.
We believe everything should be in Moderation and we do not tan anyone under 14 years of age and require a parent signature to tan between 14 and 17.

Sincerely,

__________________
War does not determine who is right, war determines who is left.

Neon Beach

bump

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eileen

Excellent response. :)

Sherin

I've been wanting to put something together for a while now that actually documented the rebuttal for the BS'rs. I'm sooo tired of the media exploiting the misinformation! What a bunch of Hooey!

__________________
War does not determine who is right, war determines who is left.

Sherin

I've sent many emails like this before to no avail...

Sad to say it's our lack of orgainzation and strength in numbers to fight back...

Sometimes i feel like a motherless child....

__________________
War does not determine who is right, war determines who is left.

billable

I have always found it interesting that mineral oil is listed as a known carcinogen, yet is used in many hand and body lotions.

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Waiting list candidates 96,910
as of July 8 2007 at 4:23pm

Sherin

I've also found it interesting that a lot of the bath & body works and many upscale facial creams and products use mineral oil.

People just think that it has been around so long, it must be OK.

__________________
War does not determine who is right, war determines who is left.