Tanning beds boost chance of cancer

To the editor:

Recently, the University of Iowa College of Public Health released its Cancer in Iowa: 2015 report. Among the most startling data were those relating to skin cancer. The annual age-adjusted incidence of invasive skin melanoma has quadrupled in the last 20 years. Among the factors contributing to this dramatic increase is the increased use of tanning beds and the increased rates of UV radiation used in tanning beds. The report notes that artificial tanning before age 35 increases the chances of getting skin cancer by 59 percent and every tanning session increases that rate by 2 percentage points.

Iowa is one of only nine states in the country without any type of restrictions on tanning by minors. The Iowa Senate and the Iowa House have had bills passed out of committee that would ban tanning by minors. Both bills await action on the floor. Opponents have argued that the bills should be amended to permit tanning so long there is parental consent. That reasoning is seriously flawed. We do not allow smoking by minors with parental consent. Tanning has been listed as a type 1 carcinogen - the same rating as cigarettes. States with laws permitting tanning with parental consent have seen no reduction in tanning by minors, showing that parental consent will not reduce the rates of tanning by minors. Urge Senate and House leadership to bring these strong bipartisan bills to the floor for a vote.

Gary Streit

Cedar Rapids