UVLED FOR HEALTH

One of the striking paradoxes of modern medicine is the extremely high frequency of skin cancer despite an enormous body of evidence that identifies UV radiation as a skin carcinogen. Among UV sources, indoor tanning represents a growing, multi-billion dollar industry, though its growth comes at a time when there is scientific consensus that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation increases the risk of developing skin cancer. As evidence of the dangers of UV exposure mounts, the indoor tanning industry has responded with an aggressive public relations campaign, which appears designed to reassure the general public that health benefits of tanning may outweigh the health risks. This public relations campaign reached a peak on March 26, 2008, when the industry published a full-page advertisement in The New York Times, claiming that an association between tanning and melanoma was “hype.” The advertisement continued:

“Recent research indicates that the benefits of moderate exposure to sunlight outweigh the hypothetical risks. Surprisingly, there is no compelling scientific evidence that tanning causes melanoma. Scientists have proven, however, that exposure to all forms of ultraviolet light – both indoors and out – stimulates the natural production of vitamin D. And research has proven that vitamin D protects against heart disease and many types of cancer, in addition to providing other important health benefits. It's time to rethink sun bathing” [1].

This powerful advertisement bears scrutiny, because it simultaneously conveys certain scientific truths while confusing or distorting others, in a fashion that may dangerously affect the public's perception of true medical risk. This article presents a review of the current state of scientific evidence concerning tanning and skin cancer risk (including the risk of melanoma), the health outcomes associated with vitamin D, and the true importance of “rethinking sun bathing” to protect the public health.