Skin cancer rising, tanning to blame
L.A. (BDCi) – According to a study by the Mayo Clinic, melanoma rates have risen eightfold for women and have quadrupled for men between 1970 and 2009.
The study, released Monday (2), is based on the medical records of 256 people in a county in Minnesota.
Jerry Brewer, lead investigator at Mayo Clinic, said that people who frequent tanning salons and use tanning beds are more likely to get melanoma versus someone who does not artificially tan.
Although public health officials have attempted to warn people about the effects of excessive UV light exposure, like artificial lamps, children, adolescents and adults have not changed their habits.
The study also saw a fall in melanoma death rates during the same study period, indicating that early medical attention may help save some lives.
“Skin screening examinations in young adults are strongly suggested.”
Melanoma is a major cause of the death in the U.S. and the second most common form of invasive cancer for young adults.
By: Diego Díaz Source: KTLA Photo: Google 3 April 2012
10:30 p.m. P.D.T.