Melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, is now the leading cancer diagnosed in British women in their 20’s.We know that in England it probably isn’t because of the intensity of the sun. Anyone who has watched a movie made in England or visited the country knows that sun exposure isn’t likely to cause much harm due to the fact that the sun doesn’t make an appearance very often. What is the cause is the use of tanning beds that is popular especially in those under 30 years of age.

A recent analysis of skin cancer found that the risk goes up by 75% when people start using tanning beds prior to that age. (The Lancet Oncology,Vol. 10 No. 8 pp 751-752) There is no question that tanning beds along with excessive sun exposure is a cause of cancer. Other comparable causes of death include cigarette smoking, exposure to mustard gas and arsenic.

Even now young people are reluctant to stop the risky behavior of going to tanning salons. They think they are invincible. Now that the tanning beds are being equated with things that we all know can be deadly, there seems to be a glimmer of hope that they might understand the risk. Young people who regularly use tanning beds are eight times more likely to get melanoma when compared to those who have never used them.

I think it is time to consider spray on tans. The quality is good and there is no risk. The price is well worth having healthy skin and decreasing the chance of developing melanoma. Share this information and advice with all the young people in your life it can save theirs.