Carcinogens and their affect on DNA
...y, exposure to ultraviolet radiation causes urocanic acid within the body to suppress the functions of T-cells from attacking cancer causing cells, increasing the ability of cancer to grow and thrive within the body (http://www.morehead.org/wellconnected/00032_1.htm,2). More so, the process of Apoptosis (cell-suicide) is completely stopped by the genetic mutation created previous, leaving the harmful cells to live and grow rapidly, leading to cancer. Thus, ultraviolet radiation acts as an immunosuppressant, “blocking the body’s natural anti-cancer defenses” (http://www.skincancer.org/artificial/index.php, 3). The ultraviolet radiation emitted from tanning beds does not penetrate passed the first several layers of skin of the body, resulting in the type of cancers it causes to be limited. The most prevalent type would be malignant melanoma, considered to be the most serious form of skin cancer (http://www.skincancer.org/melanoma/index.php, 1). However, due to such limitations, it is a very curable type of cancer if caught in time. Melanoma is a tumor derived from melanocyte cells “which produce the pigment melanin that colours our skin, hair and eyes and is heavily concentrated in most moles” (http://www. skincancer .org/melanoma/index.php, 2). The severity and dangerous nature of these tumors ranges based upon the time of discovery, meaning that they are either classified as localized – only located on the upper skin, or invasive – one that has reached deeper in the skin and possibly to other areas of the body. There are four types of melanoma, three being localized initially (superficial spreading melanoma, lentigo melanoma and acral lentiginous) and one being completely invasive (nodular melanoma). The relationship is linear between the risk of contracting this disease and the amount of exposure to ultraviolet light, meaning as one increases, so does the other. Coined a fashion statement in the 1920s by French designer Coco Chanel, indoor tanning has increasingly grown in popularity throughout the years, creating a modern phenomenon, bought into by a wide range of societal groups. Yet a lack of education surrounding the risks of such exposure to ultraviolet light has been accounted for as the reason why there is an increase in skin disease, particularly malignant melanoma. This type of cancer has grown significantly in recent years, with the number of new cases in Canada in 2004 reaching 2400, with 850 deaths being a direct result (http://www.wechealthunit.org/content.asp?Topic= Diseases%20/%20Conditions&ID=568 & Sub Topic=Sun%20Safety, 1). Some individuals believe that only sunburns, and not tans, have the potential to cause skin cancer, and by assisting individuals to tan without burning, it is actually helping them avoid contracting such a disease. In reality, by increasing the exposure to the ultraviolet rays when tanning, the risk of skin cancer is also increased. In fact, it has been found that some beds actually release stronger ultraviolet radiation than the sun does (http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content /NWS_2_1x_WHO_Warns_Teens_on_Tanning_Beds.asp, 1). With an average of 1 in 3 individuals using tanning beds at what dermatologists describe as “frightening” (http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS /content/NWS_1_1x_Tanning_Beds_May_Increase_Skin_ Cancer_Risk.asp, 2) the increase of cancer is bound to sky rocket. With an average income of 2 billion dollars annual, the tanning industry is far from struggling, believing that tanning is more beneficial than detrimental in the overall scheme of things. With every disease, the primary way of preventing it would be to remove the source of the mutation. Yet due to the fact that tanning beds are not the only source of ultraviolet light that humans are exposed to, it is nearly impossible to completely remove such sources. Nevertheless, one of the most significant changes an individual can make to reduce their risk of concentrated exposure to such radiation would be to cancel their weekly tanning appointment at the local tanning parlor. This cuts the amount of exposure significantly and therefore cuts their risk of cancer. Yet if an individual has still chosen to continue using tanning beds, suggestions have been made for protection, which include limiting exposure time, avoiding all direct contact with bulbs, and building a base tan, which offers some protection due to the fact that melanin (dark skin pigment) provides a blockage for further ultraviolet radiation damage to the skin (http://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q676. html, 4) As well, it is important for an individual to identify their skin type,...