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No such thing as a safe tan, experts say

Now that summer is here, people everywhere are baring a littleextra skin in the hopes of getting that rosy glow. But as theclothes come off, experts suggest the sunscreen go on, because theFDA reported an estimated 38,300 cases of melanoma and 7,300 deathsover the past year.

The American Cancer Society predicts more than 1 million casesof skin cancer will be reported in 2004 alone.

Skin cancer is an immense problem in today's beauty-conscioussociety, experts say.

"Tanning is a social thing," said dermatologist Mary AshleyChurchwell. In the mid 1950s, a tan was a sign of wealth and a lifeof leisure because it was associated with being able to affordvacations and relaxing on a beach, she said.

The damages sunburns ravage on skin are never fully repairable.The more sun a person gets, the higher the risk of cancer.

Tanning beds only increase a person's cancer risk, because theyadd to the amount of UV exposure a person gets. In 1997, theNational Toxicology Program's Board of Scientific Counselors ruledtanning beds to be a known carcinogen.

"There is no such thing as a safe tan," said Eric Miller,manager of national media relations for the American CancerSociety, adding that tanning beds are dangerous because the UV raysare directed straight at the skin.

Skin cancer is classified in two groups: melanoma andnon-melanoma. Melanoma is the only deadly type of skin cancer.However, it is still highly treatable if found early on.

The two more common, non-melanoma cancers are basal cell andsquamous. These are not deadly, however should still be taken veryseriously. Researchers report that non-melanoma cancers make upmost of the reported cases.

"I treat two to three cases of basal cell or squamous cancer aweek," Churchwell said. "And I am only part-time. I work three daysa week."

Kiki Hancock, University of Memphis freshman biology major, saidshe always wears plenty of sun screen for a personal reason. "I hada friend in high school that died of skin cancer."

The American Cancer Society suggests people protect themselvesand "Slip!Slop!Slap!Wrap!" -- slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen,slap on a hat and wrap around sunglasses. A sunscreen with an SPFof 15 is the least the society recommends. The sunscreen shouldprotect against UVA and UVB rays.

The SPF of a sunscreen stands for sun protection factor.Multiply the amount of time it takes for skin to burn by the numberon the bottle and the resulting number is the length of time thelotion will protect. Theoretically, if it takes 20 minutes for skinto burn, an SPF 15 will protect for about five hours.

"People can reduce risk by seeking shade when sun is mostintense, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m." said Miller.


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