Courtney Yealy
English 15-87
9 November 2009
A Killer Tan
Skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer in today’s society. A big factor of the increase
in cases of skin cancer is due to indoor tanning. Teenagers, particularly female are more likely
to engage in this unhealthful habit to fit in with society. The media portrays women as
beautiful when they have a “healthy” tan. Unfortunately this tan is very harmful, and even
deadly. The high concentration of ultraviolet light in tanning beds increases the risk of
developing skin cancer.
In this essay, I will address teenage females of high school and college age who engage
in indoor tanning. I will explain the risks of using this tanning method and explain how
ultraviolet rays increase the risk of skin cancer. I will present evidence of why skin cancer is
deadly and what you can do to prevent skin cancer. I will use examples from my own
experience to persuade readers to resist the use of tanning beds. Overall, I will try to convince
young girls to embrace their own skin color and not try to conform to society’s image of
beautiful.
Courtney Yealy
English 15-87
13 November 2009
A Killer Tan
Tanning is all the rage in this generation. Young girls look at models and celebrities in
magazines and on TV who have perfectly tanned skin. The media leads people to perceive that
a “healthy” tan makes a person more attractive. Young viewers see beautiful adult women
sporting a deep summer glow in the middle of winter and viewers wonder, “How do these
actresses achieve such nice tans without hours spent in the sun?” Indoor tanning beds provide
an efficient and productive means of tanning. After a few tanning sessions, skin tone darkens
and you have instantaneously increased your risk of skin cancer. Teenagers, particularly
females of high school and college age are at the highest risk of developing the habit of indoor
tanning. People uninformed about the tanning technique describe tanning beds as safer
because you avoid the sun’s harmful rays, but light emitted from these tanning beds is
concentrated ultraviolet light. Don’t let tanning salon owners convince you that their tanning
beds are safe simply because they contain more UVA than UVB rays. UVA rays are just as toxic
and harmful to your skin as UVB rays, and the idea that indoor tanning is healthy and
necessary for Vitamin D absorption is a common misconception [2]. Teenage females who
engage in indoor tanning at an early age increase their risk of skin cancer and other harm
from this unhealthy habit.
Indoor tanning beds have many physical effects on your body. When using a tanning
bed, you are exposed to a massive concentration of ultraviolet light, very similar to the sun’s
rays. This exposure can cause severe skin burns if your exposure to the light is too great during
a short amount of time. The ultraviolet radiation can damage eyesight by harming the lens and
cornea of the eye. Additionally, overexposure can lead to early development of cataracts [2].
Tanning can cause age spots and turn your skin very blotchy. Furthermore, the color of your
skin may vary with this exposure, often leaving skin tinted orange in color. Along with aging
your skin significantly, these UV rays can cause wrinkles, and more importantly can increase
your risk of skin cancer.
Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer in today’s society. Caucasians
are most susceptible to developing skin cancer [1] due to the fact that white skin contains less
melanin which protects the body from UV rays [4]. Cancers of the skin are classified into two
categories, malignant or benign. Malignant tumors are known as melanomas, and benign
tumors are classified as basal cell carcinomas or squamous cell carcinomas. Over 85% of skin
cancer deaths are due to melanoma [1].When the ultraviolet radiation hits the skin, it can
directly damage DNA in the epidermal (skin) cells. The UV rays do this by breaking DNA and
causing it to be altered to produce cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) [1]. These genetic
mutations in cells lead to skin cancer.
The Journal of the National Cancer Institute presented evidence that tanning beds are
helping drive up rates of melanoma, which kills one American every hour. The lifetime risk of
developing invasive melanoma has increased 2,000 percent since 1930 [3]. According to the
National Cancer Institute, in 2009 alone, there were 68,720 new cases of melanoma and 8,650
deaths as a result of melanoma. Melanomas may start as very small formations but can rapidly
spread to other parts of the body [1]. Genetics play a role in the risk of developing skin cancer
as well. Individuals who have a family history of melanoma or skin cancer are more likely to
develop cancer, especially if they are exposed to excessive amounts of ultraviolet radiation [2].
Both of my parents have had skin cancer removed from various parts of their bodies
which had been exposed to harmful amounts of ultraviolet light. After seeing both my parents
with large scars from having tumors cut out of their skin, I feel that overexposing oneself to
tanning is an extremely risky behavior. My father regularly visits the dermatologist to have
small carcinomas (cancerous cells) frozen off the surface of his skin before the tiny forming
tumors grow into the inner layers of the epidermis and dermis. Unfortunately, many young
girls do not understand the serious risks of tanning beds and their relation to skin cancer
development. About 25% of American adolescents age 11 to 19 have reported use of indoor
tanning [3]. The adolescent girls who report using a tanning bed shockingly claim that, “[I]t
was worth getting burned” [4]. Sun damage and photo-aging of the skin is a cumulative
process, meaning that damage continues to build up over time [1]. With continued exposure,
those who use tanning beds begin aging their skin early in life, even if the results are not
immediate. These personal habits formed at a young age drastically increase the chances for
developing skin cancer in the future.
The media devotes little attention to addressing the risk of skin cancer through use of
indoor tanning. There are several television commercials that address the risks of tobacco
products and the increased risk of lung cancer, but little is done to make teenagers, particularly
females, aware of the deadly risks of skin cancer. Both men and women develop skin cancer,
but a recent study on women who tan in tanning salons showed that women who visited a
tanning salon at least once as month were at least 55% more likely to develop melanoma than
women who did not artificially tan [4]. In addition to these 55%, fair skinned individuals have
an even higher risk of developing skin cancer, and well as those who have a lot of moles on
their skin [2]. Awareness and prevention are two of the best ways to combat the rapid rise in
skin cancer. It is extremely important to take precautions concerning sun exposure. Every
person who is exposed to sunlight or any type of ultraviolet rays should take caution to apply
sunscreen of at least SPF 30 that protects the skin against UVA and UVB rays. Proper eye
protection, such as sunglasses that cover 100% of UVA and UVB rays should be worn as well.
Regularly performing self-checks on your body by examining any moles is an effective means
to catching any sign of cancerous lesions. At an early stage, skin cancer is nearly 100%
treatable [1].
Society presents the image that tan skin is in style. And I ask, who says that pale isn’t
pretty? Teenage girls must embrace their own skin color and not try to fit in with what society
says is beautiful. The risks of fitting in are far too deadly to be worth the trouble. Being
comfortable with your own self image and appearance is an important part of growing up.
Having radiant, pale skin is a far better attribute than bearing the permanent scars of removing
skin cancer.
Citations
[1] So Ph.D., Po-Lin. Skin Cancer. The Biology of Cancer. 2008.Chelsea House Publishers, New
York, NY. Print.
[2] “Familial Melanoma Study News.” Genetic Epidemiology Branch. Spring 2008
<http://dceg.cancer.gov/files/familial_Melanoma_Newsletter.pdfa>
[3] Lazovich, DeAnn and Forster, Jean. Indoor tanning by adolescents; prevalence, practices and
policies. European Journal of Cancer. 2004 May 10.
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=MImg&_imagekey=B6T68-4DPYG2P-41&_cdi=5024&_user=209810&_orig=search&_coverDate=01%2F01%2F2005&_sk=999
589998&view=c&wchp=dGLbVlbzSkWz&md5=68aa247696e6fb0ecded98ec1f3ad932
&ie=/sdarticle.pdf>
[4] Alberts, David. Hess, Lisa. Fundamentals of Cancer Prevention. 2005. Springer Berlin
Heildelberg, Germany. Print.