Restrict tanning bed use: P.E.I. doctors

The Medical Society of P.E.I. wants the provincial health minister to ban the use of artificial tanning equipment for people under the age of 18.

Members passed a unanimous motion to that effect on Saturday during the society's annual general meeting in Stanhope, P.E.I.

The motion, moved by Dr. Jerry O'Hanley and seconded by Dr. Billy Scantlebury, also recommended increased regulation for owners and operators of tanning beds, including registration and training.

"The health of all Islanders is impacted by rising incidents of skin cancer," the motion states. And "the health of all Islanders, particularly youth and young adults, is at risk with increased exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation.

"A provincial ban of artificial tanning equipment use by those under 18 years will assist in reducing the overexposure to ultraviolet radiation equipment, designed to expose people to harmful radiation, which can cause skin cancer."

Motion timely

The motion comes on the heels of a warning issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), which placed tanning beds in the highest risk category for cancer, along with tobacco smoke and hepatitis B.

Experts upgraded the level in July after a comprehensive analysis of about 20 studies concluded that the risk of skin melanoma was increased by 75 per cent when people started using tanning beds before age 30.

Up until then, tanning beds and UV were considered "probably carcinogenic to humans."

But the P.E.I. division of the Canadian Cancer Society has been pushing to have tanning beds regulated for some time.

"It's an issue that has merit and I believe they'll act positively … especially since our neighbours across the bridge in New Brunswick have done it already." —Dr. Jerry O'Hanley, P.E.I. Medical Society

In July, the province's chief health officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, also said she'd like to see tanning beds included in regulations that cover the use of devices that emit radiation, such as X-ray machines.

The provincial government is reviewing its Public Health Act, she said.

O'Hanley, who is chair of the medical society's health care and promotions committee, said he is hopeful the government will take action on his motion.

"It's an issue that has merit and I believe they'll act positively … especially since our neighbours across the bridge in New Brunswick have done it already," he said.

New Brunswick is the only province in Canada that restricts the use of tanning beds to those over the age of 18.

P.E.I. could model its ban on the one in New Brunswick, said O'Hanley.

More awareness needed

The medical society also passed a related motion to take a lead in developing a melanoma awareness campaign for non-medical service providers to improve early detection.

The rate of melanoma in P.E.I. is 80 per cent higher than in the rest of the country and early detection is key to reducing mortality and morbidity, Dr. Jennifer Zelin stated in her motion.

Non-medical service providers, such as estheticians, massage therapists, hair stylists and dental hygienists, could help identify suspicious blemishes and moles, she suggested.

The Medical Society of P.E.I. represents about 300 physicians and medical students in the province.