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Even as the rates of some cancers are falling, Mayo Clinic is seeing an alarming trend: the dramaticrise of skin cancer , especially among people under 40. According to a study by MayoClinic researchers published in the April issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings , the incidence of melanoma has escalated, and young women are the hardest hit. "We anticipated we'd find rising rates, as other studies aresuggesting, but we found an even higher incidence than the NationalCancer Institute had reported using the Surveillance, Epidemiologyand End Result database, and in particular, a dramatic rise inwomen in their 20s and 30s," says lead investigator Jerry Brewer,M.D., a Mayo Clinic dermatologist. Researchers conducted apopulation-based study using records from the RochesterEpidemiology Project, a decades-long database of all patient carein Olmsted County, Minn. They looked for first-time diagnoses ofmelanoma in patients 18 to 39 from 1970 to 2009. The study foundthe incidence of melanoma increased eightfold among young women andfourfold among young men. The lifetime risk of melanoma is higherin males than females, but the opposite is true in young adults andadolescents, Dr. Brewer says. Researchers also found mortality rates from the disease haveimproved over the years, likely due to early detection of skincancer and prompt medical care. "People are now more aware of their skin and of the need to see adoctor when they see changes," Dr. Brewer says. "As a result, manycases may be caught before the cancer advances to a deep melanoma,which is harder to treat." The researchers speculate that the use of indoor tanning beds is akey culprit in the rising cancer rate in young women. "A recent study reported that people who use indoor tanning bedsfrequently are 74 percent more likely to develop melanoma, and weknow young women are more likely to use them than young men," Dr.Brewer says. Despite abundant information about the dangers oftanning beds, he adds, young women continue to use them. "Theresults of this study emphasize the importance of activeinterventions to decrease risk factors for skin cancer and, inparticular, to continue to alert young women that indoor tanninghas carcinogenic effects that increase the risk of melanoma." Janey Helland, of Mapleton, Minn., didn't think twice when tanningin high school and college. "I used tanning beds to get ready forhomecoming and prom," she says. "In college, I tanned before a tripto Barbados because I didn't want to get sunburned." At age 21,Helland noticed an abnormal spot on her leg. It was melanoma, andthe diagnosis changed Helland's life. "I really didn't know what myfuture was going to look like, or if I'd even have one." Two years later, she is cancer-free and dedicated to educatingothers. "I would advocate that it's better to be safe than sorry,"she says. "My advice is to educate yourself and research the riskfactors." Childhood sunburns and ultraviolet exposure in adulthood may alsocontribute to melanoma development, the researchers say. Additional References Citations. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as 9W UV Lamp Manufacturer , Nail Dust Collector for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits 36w UV Nail Lamp.
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