4
concentration of melanin present in
their skin which helps protect against
uv radiation, a study by researchers at
ny school of Medicine in 2010 found
that uva radiation damages the dna
of these cells (the human melanocyte
cells). this causes mutations that
might lead to malignant melanoma.
a higher prevalence rate for all skin
cancers is also found among people
with albinism.
myth: usIng Indoor sunBeds
(tannIng Beds) does not Cause
skIn CanCer
fact: wrong!
Tanning beds have been classified by
the International agency for research
on Cancer (IarC) as a group I
carcinogen (a cancer causing agent
which definitely causes cancer in
humans). these machines have the
capacity to emit very high levels of uv
radiation many times stronger than the
midday summer sun in most countries.
the sunbed industry is still unregulated
in south africa.
recent studies, like the study in
norway, indicate sunbed use as an
increased risk for malignant melanoma
when regularly used by women. skin
cancer in later life is commonly linked
to two – three incidences of skin
damage caused by severe sunburn in
children younger than eighteen years
of age. sunbed use has therefore
been banned in at least eighteen
(18) countries for children younger
than 18 years. any tan (no matter how
obtained) is a sign of skin damage. to
prevent skin cancer, limit exposure to
the sun between 10:00 and 15:00 and
avoid sunbeds.
