[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 120 (Tuesday, July 22, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1518-E1519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  LEADING MELANOMA RESEARCHERS ESTABLISH LINK BETWEEN UV EXPOSURE AND 
                              SKIN CANCER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 2008

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I want to bring to my 
colleagues' attention a powerful statement from more than 500 of the 
world's leading skin cancer researchers on the harmful effects of over-
exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
  The petition was prompted by a national media campaign initiated by 
the indoor tanning industry, which seeks to dispel the link between 
melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, and UV exposure from 
natural or artificial sources (such as tanning beds).
  Backed by clear, evidence-based data demonstrating the harmful 
effects of UV radiation, nearly 500 of the world's premier melanoma 
researchers expressed their concern by signing a petition affirming the 
role of UV exposure in increasing one's risk for skin cancer. Please 
find below the official language of the statement signed by nearly 500 
researchers:

  Melanoma Research Foundation and Society for Melanoma Research's UV 
                   Exposure & Tanning Joint Statement

       There are clear, evidence-based data demonstrating harmful 
     effects of UVA and UVB radiation, including carcinogenic/
     mutagenic effects on DNA. Purposeful exposure to UV rays 
     increases the risk for skin cancer, including multiple types 
     which may be lethal. Use of indoor tanning (outside of 
     medical practice) represents one of the most striking 
     examples of an avoidable cause of lethal cancer in man. We 
     deplore any efforts to distort scientific research for 
     financial gain, and urge regulatory agencies to crackdown on 
     this practice because the lives of so many people, including 
     young people, are at stake.

  The petition was prompted specifically by two ads the Indoor Tanning 
Association (ITA) ran earlier this year. The ads not only distort 
scientific research, but ignore the clear, evidence-based data 
demonstrating harmful effects of UVA and UVB radiation.
  I am attaching a press release issued by the Society for Melanoma 
Research and the Melanoma Research Foundation accompanying the public 
release of the petition.

Researchers Take Hard Line Against UV Exposure--Hundreds Affirm Harmful 
      Effects of Ultraviolet Rays, Discourage Intentional Tanning

       Washington, DC.--Researchers have expressed concern over a 
     new campaign initiated by the tanning industry, which seeks 
     to dispel the link between melanoma, the most serious form of 
     skin cancer, and UV exposure from natural or artificial 
     sources (such as tanning beds). In response, nearly 500 of 
     the foremost experts on melanoma signed a statement affirming 
     the existence of evidence-based data demonstrating the 
     harmful effects of UVA and UVB radiation. The statement, 
     which was initiated at the 5th Melanoma Research Congress in 
     Sapporo, Japan on May 7-12, not only states that UV rays 
     increase one's risk for skin cancer, including melanoma, but 
     also maintains that the use of indoor tanning (outside of 
     medical practice) represents an example of an avoidable cause 
     of lethal cancer.
       Studies show that UV light is a carcinogen (i.e. causes 
     cancer). This occurs when skin cells are damaged after UV 
     exposure (either from the sun or a tanning bed). The same DNA 
     damage that triggers tanning also appears capable of causing 
     cancerous mutations in skin cells. If those mutations are not 
     completely repaired--as frequently occurs--skin cancers may 
     result. Additional data demonstrates that indoor tanning 
     devices emit UV radiation that is similar to, and sometimes 
     more powerful than, that emitted by the sun. In fact, a 
     systematic review of worldwide data, published in the March 
     2007 issue of the International Journal of Cancer, found a 
     prominent, consistent increase--75 percent--in risk for 
     melanoma in people who begin using tanning beds in their 
     teens or twenties. Additionally, the review also showed that 
     people across all age groups who have ever used tanning beds 
     face a 15 percent higher risk of developing melanoma than 
     those who have not. Even more dramatic increases were seen in 
     certain non-melanoma forms of skin cancer, such as squamous 
     cell carcinoma, a tumor that only on occasion spreads from 
     the skin and may then be lethal.
       Many scientists also point out that vitamin D, although 
     produced in the skin, can easily be obtained by non-UV 
     related means, such as dietary supplements. These dietary 
     supplements would not carry the risk of cancer associated 
     with UV radiation, in cases where increased vitamin D levels 
     are deemed beneficial.
       The Melanoma Research Foundation's (MRF) Scientific 
     Advisory Committee stated, ``The petition was developed to 
     reinforce that the scientific community continues to stand 
     behind strong data supporting the connection between skin 
     cancer and UV-exposure. As physicians and scientists, we are 
     concerned that this campaign may confuse the public, putting 
     them at an increased risk for a disease that is too often 
     lethal.''
       Melanoma is one of the fastest growing cancers in the U.S. 
     and can strike people of all ages, all races and both sexes. 
     In fact, one in 50 people have a lifetime risk of developing 
     melanoma. Further, approximately 65 percent of all melanomas 
     are attributed to UV exposure resulting from natural and 
     artificial sources.
       A wealth of information exists about how to reduce the risk 
     of developing melanoma and other skin cancers, yet both MRF 
     and SMR advise that the most important measure the public can 
     take is to avoid intentional sunbathing and indoor tanning 
     devices. For those who want to learn safe ways to access to 
     vitamin D and look ``tan,'' or for more information about 
     melanoma and UV exposure, please visit www.melanoma.org or 
     www.societymelanomaresearch.org.


 About Melanoma

       Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, is one of 
     the fastest growing cancers in the U.S., and can strike 
     people of all ages, all races and both sexes. One in 50 
     people have a lifetime risk of developing melanoma. In fact, 
     in 2008, more than 62,000 Americans are expected to be 
     diagnosed with invasive melanoma, resulting in an estimated 
     8,400 deaths. Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for 
     young adults 25- to 29-years-old and the second most common 
     cancer in adolescents and young adults 15- to 29-years-old. 
     Nationally, one person dies of melanoma nearly every hour--
     and this number is rising.


                 About the Melanoma Research Foundation

       The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is the largest 
     private, national organization devoted to melanoma in the 
     United

[[Page E1519]]

     States. The Foundation is committed to the support of medical 
     research in finding effective treatments and eventually a 
     cure for melanoma. The Foundation also educates patients and 
     physicians about prevention, diagnosis and treatment of 
     melanoma, while acting as an advocate for the melanoma 
     community to raise awareness of this disease and the need for 
     a cure. The MRF Web site is the premiere source for melanoma 
     information seekers. More information is available at 
     www.melanoma.org.


 About the Society for Melanoma Research

       The Society for Melanoma Research (SMR) is an all-volunteer 
     group of scientists working to find the mechanisms 
     responsible for melanoma and, consequently, new therapies for 
     this cancer. SMR contributes to advances in melanoma research 
     by bringing together researchers to unite the scientific 
     community and hasten the discovery of preventative and 
     curative therapies. More information is available at 
     www.societymelanomaresearch.org.

 ____________________