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Brian O’Donnell, MD, FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist Freeport, Maine. The Role of UV-A & UV-B in Skin Carcinogenesis. UV-A & UV-B Damage Below the Skin. DNA Damage. The Role of UV-A. The contribution of UV-A to DNA damage, and the development of skin cancer has long been ignored.
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Brian O’Donnell, MD, FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist Freeport, Maine The Role of UV-A & UV-B in Skin Carcinogenesis
The Role of UV-A • The contribution of UV-A to DNA damage, and the development of skin cancer has long been ignored. • Even one exposure to UV radiation from tanning beds causes DNA pyrimidinedimers. Whitmore SE, Morison WL, Potten CS, Chadwick C. Tanning salon exposure and molecular Alterations. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001;44:775-80.
Early Exposure & Prolonged Damage • Tanning before the age of 35 is associated with a 75% increased risk of melanoma. • Sunburns at a young age are associated with increased risk of skin cancer and melanoma. • Even one exposure causes DNA damage; prolonged, repeated UV radiation leads to long-term damage and the development of skin cancer.
Stronger Regulations Are Needed • To protect the public health, the FDA should: • Ban the use and sale of tanning devices in the US; or at a minimum, • Reclassify tanning devices to the strongest possible category; • Restrict access to tanning beds by minors; • Require informed consent for all consumers; • Require posted warning statements; • Implement and enforce labeling recommendations from the TAN Act; and, • Enforce additional state regulations.
