Young adults need more information about link between tanning, skin cancer

Atlanta – Additional efforts may be needed to help prevent young adults from increasing their risk of developing skin cancer from tanning, according to two studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Cancer Institute.

The first study concluded that white women 18 to 21 years old had the highest rates of indoor tanning at 31.8 percent, followed by 22- to 25-year-olds at 29.6 percent. In white adults, 57.7 percent of women and 40 percent of men reported tanning more than 10 times in the past year, researchers said.

The second study concluded that 51 percent of adults had at least one sunburn in the past year, even though more people are applying sunscreen, using shade and wearing long clothes in recent years. These and other protective behaviors, such as avoiding indoor tanning, are recommended by CDC.

Both studies used data from the National Health Interview Survey to evaluate trends in sunburn, tanning and sun protective behaviors in adults.