WHO/IARC Press Release:

The only thing “unequivocal” about the conclusions reached in the press release issued by World Health Organization (WHO)/ International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) titled “Sunbed use in youth unequivocally associated with skin cancer” is that they are unequivocally false, deceptive and misleading. This article addresses some of the inaccuracies contained in the release.

#1. Clear increase in melanoma risk associated with use of sunbeds in teens and 20s.

The article “The association of use of sunbeds with cutaneous malignant melanoma and other skin cancers: A systematic review” in the March 2007 issue of the International Journal of Cancer was the basis for this press release. However, one of the authors (Autier) was lead author on two scientific papers stating that there was no association between sunbed use and melanoma, and another author (Weinstock) was co-author of a paper (Swerdlow & Weinstock: “Do tanning lamps cause melanoma? An epidemiologic assessment” published in the January 1998 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology) stating that the studies reviewed caused them to conclude “At this time, the published data are insufficient to determine whether tanning lamps cause melanoma.”

For reasons known only to WHO/IARC and the authors, none of these studies were used to prepare the article cited which, in our opinion, indicates bias and shows that WHO/IARC only used data supporting a preconceived opinion.

Moreover, the authors of the WHO/IARC press release ignored recent peer-reviewed articles showing 1) there are no proven links between sunbed use and melanoma, 2) there are numerous scientific articles showing that, in fact, no link exists between sunbed use and melanoma, and 3) compelling evidence exists showing that body resonant frequency modulation (FM) broadcast radiation may be the ubiquitous environmental agent responsible for the increase in melanoma.

#2. Increase in risk of squamous cell cancer (SCC) of the skin associated with use of sunbed in teens.

This claim was solely based on the discredited paper by Karagas, et al, titled “Brief Communication: Use of Tanning Devices and Risk of Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Skin Cancer” published in the Feb. 6, 2002 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. First of all, Karagas, et al, stated in the conclusion that “… these trends did not achieve statistical significance.” Later that year Karagas also published an article showing that arsenic in New Hampshire wells was responsible for the increase in SCC. Therefore, the claim that sunbeds are responsible for an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma is false, deceptive and misleading.

#3. Immune system affected.

The immune system is affected by UVR but in exactly the opposite way that the authors claim, i.e., that sunbed use is immuno-suppressive. In fact, the longer UVA1 (340 nm-400 nm) photons emitted primarily by sunbeds are immuno-stimulatory and, therefore, beneficial to our health and well being.

[Note: WHO/IARC should be protesting the use of UVA sunscreens that 1) block the longer immuno-stimulatory wavelengths, and 2) prevent the development of photo-protective facultative pigmentation, better known as a tan.] 

#4. No positive health effects.

Evidently the authors of the study do not understand that 90 percent of our vitamin D is UVR induced; have not read any of the thousands of scientific articles showing the benefits of maintaining optimal vitamin D levels year-round; and don’t know there is an inverse relationship between vitamin D levels and the incidence of diseases including cancer, coronary heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, obesity and neurological disorders.

Therefore, the failure to cover both the risks and the benefits of UVR exposure (and sunbed use) proves that the WHO/IARC press release is not fair and balanced.

In our opinion WHO/IARC press release is, just another in a series of “hit-and-run” anti-tanning articles orchestrated by the dermatology community. Sadly, WHO/IARC fails to understand the damage that is being done to the health and welfare of the public by presenting only one side of this important issue. A search of the WHO Web site (www.who.int) shows that it 1) failed to recognize the seriousness of the health problems caused by vitamin D deficiency/ insufficiency, and 2) has undertaken no programs to alleviate this intolerable situation.

We sent a letter containing our response to the WHO/IARC press release to Dr. Margaret Chan, the new director general of the World Health Organization, along with a plea for her to commission a comprehensive study of the worldwide disease toll caused by suboptimal vitamin D levels. Space limitations did not permit publishing the complete letter. If you would like a copy, send a request along with your e-mail address to reyksmith@aol.com.