Neon Beach

Melanoma incidence decreasing among women under 50

TORONTO, May 25 /CNW/ - As we approach the warmer summer months and millions of sun-starved Canadians head outdoors, there are clear signs the message of smart tanning and avoiding sunburn is bearing results.
According to new Canadian government data, melanoma incidence has
actually declined in Canada during the past 20 years in women under age 50.
"It has long been the tanning industry's contention that teaching sunburn prevention - and not total sun avoidance - is the best way to approach public health policy, particularly in the northerly climates of Canada," says Smart Tan-Canada Director Steve Gilroy. "We believe there is a direct connection between the decrease in incidence and the way in which the tanning industry has disseminated messages on smart tanning to both tanners and non-tanners alike."
Indoor tanners sunburn outdoors less frequently than non-tanners do, and indoor tanners are less likely to sunburn outdoors once they begin tanning in a professional tanning facility, according to International Smart Tan Network research.
Melanoma is a skin cancer believed to be associated with intermittent
sunburn. It is more common in indoor workers than in outdoor workers and most frequently occurs on parts of the body not regularly exposed to sunlight.
Melanoma has not been causatively linked to indoor tanning. Eighteen of 22 studies on this topic have shown no association, including the largest and most recent study. Older studies on this topic did not adequately control for confounding variables such as outdoor sunburn incidence and sunburn history.
A sensible message about sunlight is taking center stage now. In the past year, an avalanche of research has connected Vitamin D deficiency with significantly increased risks of breast, colon, prostate and ovarian cancers, as well as heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and Multiple Sclerosis. Hundreds of peer-reviewed studies have emerged on this topic in recent years, while recent research has identified the cellular mechanism now believed to explain Vitamin D's role in preventing these diseases.
Vitamin D is manufactured naturally when humans are exposed to UVB
present in sunlight and in an estimated 95 percent of indoor tanning
equipment.
"Because there is so much information in the media about the benefits of UV exposure and the risks of overexposure, it's a confusing time for the
public," said Loraine Cordeau of the Quebec Tanning Association (Association des Salons de Bronzage du Quebec). "The professional indoor tanning industry is doing the right thing - promoting the concept of Smart Tanning for those who can attain a suntan and practical sunburn prevention for everyone."

For further information: including supporting graphs and research,
please contact: Steve Gilroy, director, Smart Tan-Canada, (866) 795-3755, and
Lorraine Cordeau, spokesperson, Association des Salons de Bronzage du Quebec,
(514) 298-4747

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2006/25/c7700.html