CTV.ca News Staff
 
Updated: Fri. Mar. 18 2005 6:25 AM ET

The World Health Organization is warning that the increasing popularity of tanning beds could result in an "epidemic" of skin cancer within a decade.

For that reason, the United Nations health agency is urging governments around the world to pass laws regulating their use and banning them for all people under 18.

The use of tanning beds and sun lamps is largely unregulated around the world, with France, Belgium and Sweden among the few countries that have legislation on their use.

California prohibits anyone under 18 from using sunbeds, but the WHO says "effective implementation of regulations remains a challenging issue."

The WHO said Thursday that the increased popularity of tanning is one of the main reasons for the recent rapid increase in the incidence of skin cancer -- particularly among young women in Europe and North America.

"Exposure to sun lamps is a known cancer-causing agent to humans," said Mike Repacholi, a radiation expert at WHO. "We feel it's best not to use sun beds."

Studies have shown a direct link between ultraviolet radiation emitted by tanning beds and skin cancers. One in three cancers worldwide is skin-related, mostly due to overexposure to radiation from the sun, according to the WHO.

There are 132,000 cases worldwide of malignant melanoma each year, and more than 2 million cases of other skin cancers. Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer because it can spread through the body quickly.

The WHO says it discourages all use of tanning beds. But for those who insist on using them, they have provided this list of recommendations:

• spend only short periods under sun lamps
• protect the eyes
• gradually increase usage
• offer mandatory supervision

Tanning beds are particularly popular in northern Europe, where some 25 per cent of users are aged between 16 and 24.

The WHO says the annual incidence for melanoma is estimated to have more than tripled in Norway and Sweden since 1960, and doubled in the United States since 1975.

The WHO says those who are most at risk of developing skin cancer from UV exposure are:

• children (i.e., less than 18 years of age)
• people who have large numbers of moles
• those who tend to freckle
• those with a history of frequent childhood sunburn
• those with pre-malignant or malignant skin lesions
• those with sun-damaged skin
• people wearing cosmetics or taking medications that may enhance their sensitivity to sunlight