Abstract

GARZONA NAVAS, Laura  and  GARZONA NAVAS, Gloriana. Indoor tanning and skin cancer. Rev. costarric. salud pública [online]. 2017, vol.26, n.1, pp.22-29. ISSN 1409-1429.

Skin cancer is the most common malignancy in Costa Rica.

Constant exposure to ultraviolet light is a widely recognized risk factor for this neoplasm. Indoor tanning chambers that emit UV radiation were classified as Group 1 "Carcinogenic for humans" by the “International Agency for Research on Cancer” (IARC).

The risk of melanoma increases in a 75% when the tanning beds are used in early ages.

Health campaigns focused photo protective measures have had an important impact on skin cancer prevention.

However, it is still necessary to inform general population about the direct relationship between the use of artificial sources of ultraviolet radiation like in tanning beds, with the development of melanoma and non-melanoma cancer.

Keywords : skin cancer; tanning beds; ultraviolet light.

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