Gay Men Get More Skin Cancer– The Perils of Tanning Bed Culture

The study found that gay or bisexual men have higher rates of skin cancer over a lifetime, compared to heterosexual men.

Dr. Anna Pavlick, an oncologist at NYU Langone Health. says most melanomas are caused by sun exposure.

The researchers believe that tanning beds are to blame. “Sexual minority men have reported higher rates of both indoor tanning and skin cancer than heterosexual men,” the study says. By comparison, women who consider themselves sexual minorities — gay or bisexual — reported equal or lower rates of indoor tanning and skin cancer, compared to heterosexual women.

RELATED: More Men Are Dying From Melanoma Across Globe, While More Women are Surviving

Using indoor tanning beds before age 35 can increase your risk of melanoma by 59 percent, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Even worse, the risk of developing skin cancer increases with each tanning-bed use.

RELATED: Half of Teen Tanning Salon Customers Go With Their Moms Part of Massive Increase in Skin Cancer

“When I first came out of medical residency, I was surprised at how frequently patients report using a tanning bed at least once in the past,” says Dr. Brendan Camp, MD, FAAD Double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in Manhattan, New York, who says the majority of tanning bed users are young Caucsian females. “I’ve made it part of my routine questioning.”

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