Did you know that skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer? According to the American Cancer Society, almost half of cancer diagnoses in the United States are a form of skin cancer.
What’s most alarming about this trend is that skin cancer is largely preventable through common sense sun-safety measures, including avoiding indoor tanning beds.
Here are a few facts on tanning from the Center for Disease Control:
- Indoor tanning before you’re 35 increases your risk of melanoma by 75%.
- Young women are getting skin cancer more often. Melanoma – the deadliest kind – is the third most common cancer in people from 15 to 39.
- Tanning beds are risky, and most people get enough vitamin D from food and sunlight during daily activities.
- A “base tan” won’t protect your skin from the sun. A tan is a sign of damaged skin.
In an effort to curb this alarming trend and save lives, the House of Representatives approved legislation to ban the use of tanning beds for Washingtonians under the age of 18 with bipartisan support.
“We know that cigarettes cause cancer and we don’t let children smoke them because of it,” said Health Care and Wellness Chair Eileen Cody, whose own mother died from melanoma. “We know that exposure to UV light in tanning beds causes cancer. There’s no reason to let children continue to expose themselves to this danger. This bill will save lives.”
Governor Inslee is expected to sign the bill into law in the coming weeks.
To learn more about skin cancer and how to lower your risk, visit the CDC website.