Overview
- Published in Science Advances on Dec. 12, the study reports a 2.85-fold higher melanoma risk for tanning-bed users versus never-users after adjusting for key factors.
- Researchers compared medical records of roughly 3,000 frequent indoor tanners with about 3,000 controls to quantify the elevated cancer risk.
- Single-cell DNA sequencing of melanocytes from 27 skin samples found nearly double the number of mutations in tanning-bed users and more melanoma-linked changes.
- Mutation patterns appeared across normal-appearing skin and in sun-shielded sites such as the lower back and buttocks, indicating widespread injury from tanning devices.
- Study authors and dermatology groups urge stronger warnings, age-based restrictions and vigilant full-body skin exams, while an industry group questions study methods and confounding variables.