Tanning beds are linked more frequently to less serious skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, than to melanoma (Mann). Over exposure to UV radiation accounts for all of the one million cases of skin cancer diagnosed in the U.S. each year (Tortora).  Basal cell carcinoma attributes to about 78% of all skin cancers, and squamous cell carcinoma is about 20% of all skin cancers (Tortora).  So is looking tan really more important than your health?

So what is basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma?  Basal cell carcinoma is abnormal, uncontrolled growth that arises in the skin’s basal cells, which line the outermost layer of the skin (skincancer.org).  The tumors arise from the stratum basale of the epidermis (Tortora).  It is rare for this type of skin cancer to metastasize (skincancer.org).  Squamous cell carcinoma arises from the stratum spinosum of the epidermis (Tortora). This type of carcinoma may or may not metastasize (Tortora).  Both of these types of cancers are nonmelanoma skin cancer (Tortora).  According to research on Webmd, people who used tanning beds were 67% more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma and 29% more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma than people who never used them.  Those who are at the greatest risk are the ones who have been in a tanning bed before the age of 25 (Mann).  Researchers reviewed in 12 studies that estimate that indoor tanning is responsible for more than 170,000 new cases of non-melanoma skin cancers in the United States each year (Mann).

When will people realize the risks of tanning in tanning beds?  Although the most common skin cancers from tanning beds are not deadly we should not want to put our bodies in danger of possibly getting melanoma, the “deadly one”.  Having one of the nonmelanoma cancers are often expensive to treat, and without the money to treat them you could be left with scars, and/or other serious side effects (Mann).  Our skin is a vital organ to our body that we need to live.  Using tanning beds can prevent our skin from functioning properly and damage our skin.  We should take care of our skin to keep from getting skin cancer by not using tanning beds.

Works Cited:

Tortora, Gerard J. and Bryan Derrickson. “Skin Cancer”.  Principles of Anatomy & Physiology. 13th ed. N.p.: John Wiley & Sons, 2012. Pg. 175. Print.

Mann, Denise. “Indoor Tanning Beds Linked to Common Skin Cancers.” WebMD. WebMD, 02 Oct. 2012. Web. 13 Dec. 2012.  <http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/news/20121002/indoor-tanning-beds-linked-common-skin-cancers>.

“Skin Cancer Foundation.” Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC). N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2012. <http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer