To the Editor:

I read your recent article “Tanning beds pose a significant risk of skin cancer” (Jan.20 Paris Star). I am very disappointed that you did not attempt to provide two sides to the article. You did not contact anyone from the sunbed industry including local sunbed salons. I am the Executive Director of the Joint Canadian Tanning Association (JCTA) and I would be happy to provide you with any quotes or answer any question you have with regard to indoor sunbathing in Canada. We represent the sunbathing community across Canada. Please feel free to contact me on any future articles.

Part of the public’s decision on lifestyle activities is to weigh the pros and cons of the activity and make an educated decision. How can that decision be made if only one side of the story is presented? The media need to research their facts and ensure that they are not just presenting opinions.

Contrary to what the general public, media and Ms Burroughs think, Canadian tanning salons are run in a very controlled, professional manner. Commercial tanning salons take particular care NOT to burn anyone. Scientific studies show that intermittent exposure, sunburns and people with certain genetic factors or skin types are the significant risk factors. People who have regular, long term, high continuous exposure to UV, such as Outdoor workers, have a lower risk of melanoma[1]. If the risk was cumulative as Ms Burroughs states why do studies show that Outdoor workers have the lowest rates of melanoma? Don’t they have the most accumulation of sun exposure?

Professional salons take the following steps to ensure that sunbathers are protected against over-exposure to UV:

– All new sunbather are skin typed to determine first if they can sunbathe and secondly to develop proper exposure times.

– All tanners start on a graduated exposure schedule based on skin type to ensure that they gradually build up exposure in a non-burning fashion

– The JCTA recommends all salons get parental consent for any tanners under the age of 18

– All tanners must wear protective eyewear – no increase risk for eyes

– Sunbathers must follow the manufacturer’s exposure recommendations

– All salon staff are trained and certified. The trained staff controls the sunbed timers

The research study completed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer used only 7 studies not 20 as you reported for the under age 35 report. IARC actually had 2 reports. For one they used 19 studies without an age factor and found that “ever” use of sunbeds were associated with just a 15% increased risk. Both studies included a significant number of melanoma cases that used sunbeds at home. Why is that an issue? Well there are data available from scientific studies that show that home sunbeds pose a much more serious risk because they are uncontrolled. There is no professional at home making sure that overexposure does not occur. People go in them for as long as they want, whenever they want, without regard for skin type risks. When you remove these Home sunbed data from the IARC study the new risk number is not 75% but just 6%, not even relevant, for those under age 35.

Here is an example of the significance on risk caused by where you use a sunbed – Home or Commercial facility. Ya-Ting Chen’s 1998 study – Sunlamp use and the risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma: a population-based case-control study in Connecticut, USA was one of the seven studies included in the IARC report.

Chen reports:

Age at first use of sun lamp <25:

Home – Odds Ratio 1.79 or 79% increased risk of melanoma

Commercial – Odds Ratio 0.63 or 37% REDUCED risk of melanoma

How can municipalities, government officials, and legislators use this IARC study that includes home bed data, and use it to legislate commercial tanning salons? It doesn’t make sense. Commercial tanning salons should not be held accountable for people’s indiscretions at home. These are the facts that you need to objectively bring to the Canadian public’s attention.

The JCTA is working with the Ontario government to ensure standards are followed and a comprehensive set of regulations is created to protect all ages.

Many Canadians use sunbed salons to build up a base tan before heading to warmer climates for vacation. A tan will provide the same protection as an SPF of 2-4. It is our opinion that a base tan will provide additional protection against the strong, intermittent, burning exposure of southern climates. Of course, people should know their own skin and always ensure that they do not burn whether in a sunbed or on a beach.

One thing I did not see mentioned in your article was the fact that UV sunbeds do generate Vitamin D in your exposed skin. A study completed in 2010 by Edmonton doctor Gerry Schwalfenberg found that indoor sunbathers have the highest Vitamin D levels in Canada. Research has found that optimum levels of Vitamin D help prevent many types of cancer, cardiovascular disease and colds and flu’s. Ms Burroughs states these have yet to be proven. I have the scientific studies to prove it.

I would encourage you to always ask for references when people provide quotes. For example – when Katy Burroughs said, “Whether outdoors or indoors, there is no safe way to tan”. Is this her professional opinion or does she have some specific research to back that up? Obviously outdoor workers are doing something right. They are getting UV exposure and all the benefits that go with it.

The medical recommendations on sunbathing are starting to change. Recently in the UK, seven medical organizations including Cancer Research UK, Dermatologists, MS, Heart, Osteoporosis and Diabetes came together and issued a joint position statement on Vitamin D. They urged people to enjoy the sun safely and take care not to burn, helping to ensure the benefits of Vitamin D can be enjoyed without the risk of skin cancer being raised unnecessarily. They recommended 10-15 minutes exposure to the sun at midday during summer months without sunscreens. This is a complete reversal of decades of warnings to avoid exposure between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Health practitioners in Canada need to review and revise their current program “there’s no safe way to tan” and start providing the public with a more balanced message.

Apparently these organizations in the UK have examined the scientific proof that Ms. Burroughs feels is lacking and made some drastic changes in their UV recommendations.

Do not hesitate to contact me for any future articles concerning indoor sunbathing.

Remember “Everything in Moderation.”

Steven Gilroy,

Executive Director, JCTA

Joint Canadian Tanning Asssociation

Kelowna, B.C .