Private MD News

Women are more likely to use tanning beds than men

Category: Cancer Detection and Tumor Markers

Women may benefit from skin cancer testing, as a new study has found that they are significantly more likely to develop skin cancer as a result of excessive tanning bed use than men.

The team found that roughly 20 percent of women report tanning bed use whereas less than 7 percent of men report using artificial tanners. While there may be a perception that tanning beds are a safer alternative to the sun, the researchers say that this is not the case.

The team surveyed nearly 3,000 individuals about their use of artificial tanners. Additionally, 821 participants were also asked about their knowledge of skin cancer prevention. Women were significantly more likely to report using sunless tanner.

Furthermore, only 13.3 percent of women said that avoiding tanning beds is an effective way to prevent skin cancer. The researchers said that these findings are responsible for a dangerous growth in the number of people who tan.

"Despite a recent meta-analysis that supported a positive association between increased use of indoor tanning and both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, the indoor tanning industry is still growing rapidly, generating more than $5 billion in annual revenues, and has attracted more than 30 million patrons, primarily women," the researchers reported.