Science & Technology: Melanoma & Tanning (Melanoma: Coincidental Correlation Does Not Prove Causation)

Misleading Statistics

To show how statistics can be misleading, let’s look at the one that states there was a 55-percent increase in CMM among women using sunbeds. A 55-percent increase means there is a RR of 1.55 which, as shown above, is only half of the level required to be deemed statistically valid. In addition, the study containing this statistic failed to compensate for skin type/subtype and, if they had done so, there would have been no increase in relative risk.

The bottom line is that the preponderance of scientific evidence proves that exposure to sunlight, UVR or a tanning device does not cause CMM and, regardless of what environmental factor causes the “mother” melanocyte cell to continue dividing and transform into a CMM, we believe that this factor can only be operational when an insufficient level of vitamin D exists. If our premise is correct, the potential prevention of CMM is yet another valid reason to maintain a sufficient level of vitamin D year-round. Therefore, if you want to enjoy good health and help prevent diseases like coronary heart disease, diabetes, MS, osteoporosis and cancer—possibly including CMM—you should maintain a blood level of vitamin D (25-OH-D) that is at least 120 nmol/L year-round. The best way to accomplish that objective is to take advantage of the controlled ultraviolet radiation exposure (CURE) found at a professional indoor-tanning salon.

Patricia E. Reykdal owns and operates four tanning salons in Tucson, Ariz. Her husband, Donald L. Smith, is director of research of the Non-Ionizing Radiation Research Institute. Together, they have written more than 250 articles promoting sensible, moderate and controlled exposure to ultraviolet radiation. You can e-mail comments or questions to reyksmith@aol.com.

Late-Breaking News

After we wrote this article, we came across a study titled “Outdoor Work And Skin Cancer Incidence: A Registry-Based Study In Bavaria” by Radespiel-Troger, et al, published in the International Archives of Occupational Environmental Health. In it, researchers stated that the study confirms previous reports of the increased risk of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in outdoor workers when compared to indoor workers, but that CMM risk was not significantly associated with outdoor work. Thus, it is irresponsible and unacceptable to claim that sunlight, UVR or a tanning device causes CMM when study after study (such as this one) show that there is no causal relationship between UVR exposure and the disease.