This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Gallagher, R. P. Articles by Lee, T. K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Gallagher, R. P. Articles by Lee, T. K. Related Collections Epidemiology and Prevention Epidemiology and Prevention: Screening, Behavior, and Survivorship

Tanning Beds, Sunlamps, and Risk of Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma

¹ Cancer Control Research Program, British Columbia Cancer Agency; ² Department of Health Care and Epidemiology and ³ Division of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; and ⁴ School of Computing Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada

Requests for reprints: Richard P. Gallagher, Cancer Control Research Program, British Columbia Cancer Agency, 600 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Z 4E6. Phone: 604-877-6000; Fax: 604-877-1868. E-mail: richardg{at}bccancer.bc.ca

Background: A number of studies have been conducted evaluating the risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma after exposure to sunlamps and/or sunbeds. The proportion of subjects in the individual studies who have reported exposure has, in general, been modest, and the resulting risk estimates for melanoma have been unstable with wide 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The inconclusive results seen in individual studies have resulted in confusion as to the carcinogenicity of these devices.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of these studies. A review of the literature from Jan 1, 1984 to April 2004 using MEDLINE identified 12 case-control studies and 1 cohort study which quantitatively evaluated the use of sunlamps and/or sunbeds and subsequent melanoma. After applying exclusion/inclusion criteria, 9 case-control and 1 cohort study provided data for the analysis. Summary odds ratios (OR) and 95% CIs for sunlamp/sunbed use and subsequent melanoma were calculated using a random-effect model.

Results: Ten studies provided data for assessment of melanoma risk among subjects who reported "ever" being exposed compared with those "never" exposed. A positive association was found between exposure and risk (summary OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.05-1.49). Significant heterogeneity between studies was present. Evaluation of the metrics "first exposure as a young adult" (5 studies) and "longest duration or highest frequency of exposure" (6 studies) also yielded significantly elevated risk estimates (summary OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.32-2.18, and 1.61; 95% CI, 1.21-2.12, respectively, with no heterogeneity in either analysis).

Conclusions: Results indicate a significantly increased risk of cutaneous melanoma subsequent to sunbed/sunlamp exposure.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. A. Tucker Is Sunlight Important to Melanoma Causation? Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., March 1, 2008; 17(3): 467 - 468. [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Hillhouse, R. Turrisi, and A. L. Shields Patterns of Indoor Tanning Use: Implications for Clinical Interventions Arch Dermatol, December 1, 2007; 143(12): 1530 - 1535. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Han, G. A Colditz, and D. J Hunter Risk factors for skin cancers: a nested case-control study within the Nurses' Health Study Int. J. Epidemiol., December 1, 2006; 35(6): 1514 - 1521. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Freeman, S. Francis, K. Lundahl, T. Bowland, and R. P. Dellavalle UV tanning advertisements in high school newspapers. Arch Dermatol, April 1, 2006; 142(4): 460 - 462. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. R. Johnson, L. F. Heilig, E. J. Hester, S. O. Francis, S. J. Deakyne, and R. P. Dellavalle Indoor tanning attitudes and practices of US dermatologists compared with other medical specialists. Arch Dermatol, April 1, 2006; 142(4): 465 - 470. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. B. H. Buckel, A. M. Goldstein, M. C. Fraser, B. Rogers, and M. A. Tucker Recent tanning bed use: a risk factor for melanoma. Arch Dermatol, April 1, 2006; 142(4): 485 - 488. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. A. Weinstock Progress and prospects on melanoma: the way forward for early detection and reduced mortality. Clin. Cancer Res., April 1, 2006; 12(7): 2297s - 2300s. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]