A Calgary-based tanning company is getting hot under the collar over medical reports linking indoor tanning beds to malignant melanoma.
The president of Fabutan Sun Tan Studios says the relationship between skin cancer and tanning beds “is often misrepresented,” and that data for a soon-to-be published study shows there’s no evidence to link the two.
Doug McNabb says the sum of all available research into tanning beds shows that intermittent sunburns – particularly among those who are genetically predisposed for skin cancer – is probably the biggest risk factor. Studies show that indoor tanners are much less likely to experience sunburn outdoors as compared to non-tanners, he adds.
“We believe blanket ‘stay out of the sun’ messages are doing more harm than good, because those people are the ones who, on weekends and holidays, eventually do go outside and when they do, they are much more likely to sunburn,” McNabb said.
Fabutan, a private company with more than 144 retail locations across the country, is part of the International Smart Tan Network, which is committed to the research and education of responsible, moderate sun tanning.
However, Health Canada maintains there is no safe way to tan.
In its guidelines for tanning salon owners, operators and users, Health Canada says exposure to ultraviolet A and B radiation can cause sunburn, premature skin aging, skin cancers, cataracts and other eye and skin diseases.
The department also says UV can weaken the body’s immune system.
“If a person chooses to acquire or enhance a tan using a tanning facility (sunlamp or tanning bed), it is important that this person be aware of the hazards involved so (they) can make an informed decision about the amount of exposure (they) receive,” it says. Skin cancer – the most common kind of cancer in North America – is also the most preventable form of the disease. It’s estimated that there were more than 72,000 new cases this past year in Canada.
