Regular Article

British Journal of Cancer (2000) 82, 1593–1599. doi:10.1054/bjoc.1999.1181 www.bjcancer.com
Published online 4 April 2000

Risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma in relation to use of sunbeds: further evidence for UV-A carcinogenicity

J Westerdahl1, C Ingvar1, A Måsbäck2, N Jonsson2 and H Olsson3

  1. 1Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Lund, S-221 85, Sweden
  2. 2Department of Pathology, University Hospital, Lund, S-221 85, Sweden
  3. 3Department of Oncology, University Hospital, Lund, S-221 85, Sweden

Received 21 September 1999; Revised 25 November 1999; Accepted 25 November 1999.

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Abstract

In a population-based, matched, case–control study from southern Sweden of 571 patients with a first diagnosis of cutaneous malignant melanoma and 913 healthy controls aged 16–80 years, the association between sunbed use and malignant melanoma was evaluated. A total of 250 (44%) cases and 372 (41%) controls reported ever having used sunbeds. A significantly elevated odds ratio for developing malignant melanoma after regular exposure to sunbeds was found, adjusted for hair colour, raised naevi, skin type and number of sunburns (odds ratio (OR) 1.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2–2.7). A dose–response relationship between total number of sunbed uses and melanoma risk was only found up to the level of 250 times. The OR was higher in individuals younger than age 36 years (adjusted OR 8.1, 95% CI 1.3–49.5 for regular vs never use). The association seemed to be true only for subjects with black/dark brown or light brown hair and among females. Lesions of the extremities showed the strongest association of increased risk with sunbed use. An increased risk was related to commercial exposure and to exposure during the winter. The results substantiate the hypothesis that exposure to sunbeds might increase the risk of developing malignant melanoma. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign

Keywords:

melanoma, ultraviolet radiation, sunbeds, risk

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