By Ronnie Gonzalez
Sun rays on the skin feels so good but students overlook their risks for skin cancer in exchange for bronze-colored skin.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, people who first use tanning beds before the age of 35 increase their risks of melanoma by 75 percent.
Melanoma cancer is a deadly form of skin cancer accounting for 73,000 cases, according to the 2015 American Cancer Society’s report. Approximately 3.5 million people are diagnosed with basal and squamous-cell carcinoma—also deadly types.
According to The Journal of the American Medical Association’s 2015 report titled “Availability of Tanning Beds on U.S. College Campuses” 48 percent of the nation’s 125 top colleges had in-door tanning facilities on campus or in campus housing.
In addition tanning boutiques are located in shopping centers around the country. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 59 percent of college students have reported using a tanning bed in their lifetime.
College of Southern Nevada student Trish Jett tanned often. She stopped when she went to school for radiation therapy technology. She realized how bad it was for her skin.
“What would be great is if people kind of get behind this idea that you don’t have to be tan to be attractive,” said Katy Dhuyvetter, CSN student majoring in radiation therapy technology.
Nearly 70 percent of tanning-salon patrons are Caucasian girls and young women and melanoma is increasing faster in women 15 to 29 years old than in young men of the same age, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Even though skin cancer affects many young people it is still preventable.
According to the Center for Disease Control, avoiding tanning and using sunblock can reduce one’s risks of getting skin cancer. Regular self-skin examinations can also track moles. Cancerous moles have irregular boarders, uneven colors and increase or decrease in size. Visiting a dermatologist annually is also advisable.
“What I have learned did change my perspective and it makes me want to take care of my skin by applying sunblock when the UV density is high,” CSN student Daniel Murillo said.
For additional information of preventable methods and signs of skin cancer please visit www.cdc.gov.
Coyote Student News at the College of Southern Nevada 