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Exposure to sunlamps, tanning beds, and melanoma risk

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Abstract

Objective

To estimate the separate effects of sunlamp and tanning bed device use on melanoma risk.

Methods

Population-based case–control study of 423 cases of melanoma and 678 controls in the state of New Hampshire. Exposure data, including sunlamp and tanning bed use, were collected by telephone interview. Associations were evaluated using logistic regression analyses.

Results

About 17% of participants ever used a sunlamp, and most use (89%) occurred before 1980. The OR was 1.39 (95% CI 1.00–1.96) for ever using a sunlamp, 1.23 (95% CI 0.81–1.88) for those starting sunlamp use <20 years, and 1.71 (95% CI 1.00–2.92) for those starting ≥20 years. Data suggested increasing risk with number of sunlamp uses and with duration of use (tests of trend p = 0.02). The overall prevalence of tanning bed use was 22% and most use (83%) occurred after 1980. The OR was 1.14 (95% CI 0.80–1.61) for ever using a tanning bed; there was no evidence that risk increased with frequency or duration of use. The OR was 1.96 (95% CI 1.06–3.61) for having used both devices.

Conclusion

Results suggest a modest association between sunlamp use and melanoma risk, and increasing risk with greater frequency and duration of use. No association with tanning bed use was found, but sufficient lag time may not have elapsed to assess a potential effect.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Rebecca A. Silliman, Professor of Medicine and Public Health and Timothy L. Lash Associate Professor of Public Health and Medicine both at Boston University, for their informed advice and thoughtful critic of this study. We would like to thank the physicians in New Hampshire for their cooperation with this study and the men and women of New Hampshire, who generously gave their time to ensure the success of this project.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geriatrics Section, Department of Medicine, Boston University Medical Center, 88 East Newton Street, Robinson 2, Boston, MA, 02118, USA

    Kerri M. Clough-Gorr

  2. Departments of Community & Family Medicine and of Pediatrics, Dartmouth Medical School and the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH, USA

    Linda Titus-Ernstoff

  3. Department of Pathology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA

    Ann E. Perry

  4. Department of Dermatology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA

    Steven K. Spencer

  5. Department of Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA

    Marc S. Ernstoff

Authors
  1. Kerri M. Clough-Gorr
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  2. Linda Titus-Ernstoff
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  3. Ann E. Perry
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  4. Steven K. Spencer
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  5. Marc S. Ernstoff
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kerri M. Clough-Gorr.

Additional information

This work was supported by grant RO1CA 66032 from the National Cancer Institute and conducted at Dartmouth Medical School. This manuscript contains original material that has not been previously presented. None of the authors have a conflict of interest.

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Clough-Gorr, K.M., Titus-Ernstoff, L., Perry, A.E. et al. Exposure to sunlamps, tanning beds, and melanoma risk. Cancer Causes Control 19, 659–669 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-008-9129-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-008-9129-6

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