Melanoma cases rising among young women linked to tanning beds and sunburns

CBS News reported that more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined, with melanoma being the deadliest form. Dr. Elizabeth Hale, a board-certified dermatologist and senior vice president of the Skin Cancer Foundation, emphasized that skin cancer is highly preventable and almost always curable when caught early.

Dr. Hale noted an increase in melanoma cases among women in their 20s and 30s, attributing this rise to exposure to tanning beds and sunburns. Melanoma is one of the most common cancers in young women, and before age 50, it occurs more frequently in women than men.

Melanoma can develop anywhere on the body, but for women, it often appears on the lower legs and areas like the buttocks, which typically receive little sun exposure except during tanning bed use. The Skin Cancer Foundation highlights that using tanning beds before age 35 increases melanoma risk by 75%.

Dr. Hale urged keeping children away from tanning beds and promoting good sun protection habits, such as seeking shade, wearing UV protective clothing, and regularly applying broad-spectrum sunscreen. She also pointed out that up to 90% of skin cancers are caused by overexposure to the sun, which also accelerates skin aging.