Does tanning increase the risk of melanoma? Not according to the Indoor Tanning Association, which has launched a print and TV advertising campaign in seven major cities claiming there is no compelling scientific evidence linking tanning to melanoma. “Both the sun and tanning beds have been unnecessarily demonized by special interests using junk science and scare tactics,” Sarah Longwell, ITA spokeswoman, claimed in a statement.
The organization, which represents manufacturers of tanning beds and tanning salons, cited recent research in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showing that higher vitamin D levels increased survival in certain types of cancer. A reference was not supplied.
According to the ITA's press release, the association will be running TV commercials in New York, Boston, Washington, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, and Pittsburgh—all areas in which the ITA says vitamin D deficiency is common. The ITA is also challenging what it calls “myths” about tanning at two new Web sites (www.sunlightscam.comwww.trusttanning.com
The association did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
The American Academy of Dermatology issued a statement on the same day in wake of the ITA release. “While the health benefits of vitamin D are well known, it also is well known that exposure to [UV] radiation can cause skin cancer,” AAD president Dr. C. William Hanke said in a statement.
In a follow-up interview, Dr. Hanke said, “You really don't need to destroy your skin to get adequate vitamin D.” A few minutes of sun exposure is generally enough for vitamin D intake. Dietary sources of vitamin D are superior, he said.
“There is no evidence whatsoever that indoor tanning is safe,” said Dr. Hanke, adding, “We're not going to put our patients at risk by condoning indoor tanning.” In addition, said Dr. Hanke, “there is substantial evidence that excessive exposure to any form of UV radiation increases the risk of developing melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer.”
Melanoma incidence has stayed steady since 2000, after rising for almost 30 years, according to the American Cancer Society's latest statistics. In 2008, there will be an estimated 62,480 cases in the United States and 8,420 deaths.
The ITA also is accusing dermatologists—and specifically the AAD—of being corrupt because of money the organization receives from sunscreen manufacturers. On its Web sites, the ITA attacks both the AAD and its current officers, and the Skin Cancer Foundation, which it calls a front group for the sunscreen industry.
Dr. Hanke said that if taking money from manufacturers was the bar, then most medical societies would be considered corrupt. Support from pharmaceutical companies and sunscreen manufacturers is essential to carrying out the educational mission of the AAD, he said.