Tanning
Data sources: Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS), 2005, 2006, 2012
Sample: Residents 18 years and over in the KFL&A area.
Released: November 2015
| Introduction to tanning in KFL&A | ||||||||||
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Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, however, most cases of skin cancer are preventable.1 Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, or UV rays, can damage your skin cells and cause cancer.1 You can be exposed to UV rays from being in the sun, and by tanning beds and lamps.1 Some tanning bed lights give off 10 to 15 times more UVA radiation (UVA, or ultraviolet A, is a type of UV ray) as the sun.3 Thus, indoor tanning increases your risk of all major types of skin cancer, and in particular, the risk is higher for young users.2,4,5,6 Tanning in your teens increases your risk of getting melanoma in your twenties.5 |
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| Tanning bed use | ||||||||||
Figure A. Tanning bed use in adults, 18 years and over, in the previous 12 months, KFL&A, 2005 and 2006, 2012* *includes all tanning equipment use such as a tanning booth or sunlamp, for any reason including medical reasons. Table A. Tanning bed use in adults, 18 years and over, in the previous 12 months, KFL&A, 2005 and 2006, 2012, % (95% confidence interval)*
*Includes all tanning equipment use such as a tanning booth or sunlamp, for any reason including medical reasons. Interpretation for Figure AIn KFL&A area in 2012, 4.7% (3.7, 5.9) of adults, 18 years and over, have used a tanning bed or other tanning equipment for any reason, including medical reasons, at least once in the previous 12 months. This is a significant decrease from 2005 & 2006, 8.8% (7.4, 10.4). |
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| Risk for skin cancer | ||||||||||
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Respondents were asked their viewpoint on whether or not the use of indoor tanning equipment increases one's risk for skin cancer. Figure B. The use of indoor tanning equipment increases one's risk for skin cancer", KFL&A, 2012 Table B. The use of indoor tanning equipment increases one's risk for skin cancer, KFL&A, 2012, % (95% Confidence Interval)
Interpretation for Figure BStudies have shown consistently that using indoor tanning equipment increases a person's risk of getting skin cancer.2 The International Agency for Cancer Research estimates that using indoor tanning equipment once a week from age 20, will double your risk for certain types of skin cancer by age 45.3 Among KFL&A area adults, 18 years and over, 72.2% (69.9, 74.4) strongly agree that using indoor tanning equipment increased one's risk for skin cancer. A further 16.8% (15.0, 18.7) 'somewhat' agree. |
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| Tanning equipment versus tanning outdoors | ||||||||||
Figure C. The use of indoor tanning equipment is safer than tanning outdoors, in KFL&A in 2012
Table C. The use of indoor tanning equipment is safer than tanning outdoors, KFL&A, 2012, % (95% Confidence Interval)
Interpretation for Figure CBoth indoor and outdoor tanning are harmful, as both increase your skin's exposure to damaging UV rays.2 Indoor tanning can give you high levels of UV radiation in short period of time.2 You can also get a burn from indoor tanning.2 Just over half, 51.8% (49.3, 54.3) of KFL&A area adults strongly disagreed that the use of tanning equipment is safer than tanning outdoors. |
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| Tanning and Vitamin D | ||||||||||
Figure E. Using indoor tanning equipment is a good way to boost vitamin D levels in order to improve overall health, KFL&A, 2012
Table E. Using indoor tanning equipment is a good way to boost vitamin D levels in order to improve overall health, KFL&A, 2012, % (95% Confidence Interval)
Interpretation for Figure EIt is important to get enough vitamin D, however, the safest way to get vitamin D is through the foods you eat, or with supplements.2,7 Tanning beds are not a safe way to get vitamin D.7 Tanning can cause damage to your skin, by exposure to UV rays, and this increases your risk for skin cancer.2,7 Just over half, 52.1% (49.7, 54.6), of KFL&A area adults, ages 18 years and over, strongly disagreed that using indoor tanning equipment is a good way to boost vitamin D levels in order to improve overall health. |
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| People with darker toned skin and risk for skin cancer | ||||||||||
Figure F. People with darker toned skin do not have to worry about getting skin cancer, KFL&A, 2012
Table F. People with darker toned skin do not have to worry about getting skin cancer, KFL&A, 2012, % (95% Confidence Interval)
Interpretation for Figure FEveryone's skin can be damaged by UV ray exposure.8 Although people of all skin types can develop skin cancer, people with lighter skin, are at higher risk of skin cancer.3,8 The majority of KFL&A area adults, aged 18 years and over, 65.8% (63.4, 68.1), strongly disagree that people with darker toned skin do not have to worry about getting skin cancer. |
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Eye damage |
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Figure G. Using indoor tanning equipment without protective eyewear causes eye damage, KFL&A, 2012
Table G. Using indoor tanning equipment without protective eyewear causes eye damage, KFL&A, 2012, % (95% Confidence Interval)
Interpretation for Figure GTanning without protective eyewear can expose your eyes to UV rays, which may cause painful, temporary injuries to the eye, including the cornea and conjunctiva.9 There may also be eye aging effects, such as browning of the lens and its loss of elasticity.9 More than three-quarters of KFL&A residents, 77.2% (75.1, 79.2), strongly agree that using tanning equipment without protective eyewear causes skin cancer. |
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| Notes | ||||||||||
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The Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS) is a random-digit-dialed telephone survey of adults ages 18 years and over, conducted by the Institute for Social Research at York University, on behalf of KFL&A Public Health. |
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| Confidence intervals explained | ||||||||||
Confidence intervals explainedResearchers look at the "confidence levels" of percentages being compared to decide if there is a statistically significant difference between percentages. If the 95% confidence intervals of two estimates do not overlap, there is considered to be a significant difference between the estimates. A statistically significant difference means that:
In this report, 95% confidence intervals will accompany each percentage in all figures and tables. The true or actual percentage falls within the 95% confidence interval range 95 times out of 100. A wide confidence interval reflects a large amount of variability or imprecision. Usually, the larger the sample size, the narrower the confidence intervals. In tables, the 95% confidence intervals will be written with the percentage, followed by the 95% confidence interval range in brackets, e.g., 25.3% (12.3, 32.4). In figures, the 95% confidence interval are represented by error bars at the top of each bar. |
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| References | ||||||||||
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