Tanning Beds and Skin Cancer – Are you dying to be brown?
It's been several years since scientists found the initial link between tanning beds and skin cancer. We know that there is a connection between sunlight and skin cancer, but radiation in the beds of tanning damages skin like the sun's radiation. Recent research has found that ultraviolet (UV) can also damage the immune system and can possibly cause eye problems like cataracts, the eye of arc and ocular melanoma.
Radiotherapy
High radiation dose is sometimes used in cancer treatment. As they kill cancer cells, the immune system is also affected. Lymphocytes, white blood cells responsible for immune response are reduced in number and are less effective. Other white blood cells are also affected. The decrease in lymphocytes may take many years.
Immune system damage
Even at low doses of radiation can damage the immune system. It can cause chromosomal defects or mutations in lymphocytes. If the affected B-cell lymphocytes, may be unable to produce antibodies to fight bacteria and other toxins. When T cells are changed, may not attack the body's cells taken from cancer. In some cases, may even attack healthy cells.
People with impaired immune systems, sometimes referred to immunocompromised persons, are much more likely to get sick. Even traditionally a disease easily treated at home can have devastating effects or prolonged hospital stay. If the cancer-suppressing genes are damaged, they can actually begin to promote cancer.
As excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) tanning beds and skin cancer go hand in hand. In fact, tanning beds emit between 93% and 99% of UVA, the type that penetrates deep into the skin. This is three times as much UVA and sunlight.
Eye damage
Besides skin cancer, tanning beds can lead to eye diseases such as cataracts, eye arc and ocular melanoma. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens of the eye. Since the lens is responsible for adjusting the focus, can lead to blurred vision. They tend to grow over time, declining vision further. According to the Research Foundation Radiation Effects can appear as early as one and two years after exposure to high doses or after several years of repeated exposure to low doses.
Arc eye is sometimes referred to as the eye flash welding or burning. It occurs when the eye is exposed to intense ultraviolet light like a welding torch or the tanning bed. Exposure causes of keratitis, or inflammation of the cornea. The pain can be moderate to intense and eyes may feel dry and rough. Vision often suffers the cornea helps to direct light into the eye.
Ocular Melanoma
Although melanoma usually appears on the skin, may appear in other body areas. When it appears in the eyes is called ocular melanoma. As with skin melanoma, this condition is rare. However, untreated, can spread (metastasize) to other body areas. The liver is a common area of metastasis is often with fatal results.
Even if the eyes are protected with goggles, tanning beds are still harmful to the immune system. With the relationship between tanning beds and skin cancer, as well as decreased immune function, it is important to think twice before entering a tanning bed, or both … is to have a tan really worth losing your hearing or damage to the immune system?