Tanning in Australia: One of the Causes of Skin Cancer

Introduction

Tanning, as an intriguing phenomenon, has witnessed vast differences throughout the globe. While Asians hold a strong belief that tanning is a sign of outdoor laboring, which was the domain of “bogan”, in the western world people associate bronzed skin with lovely and sunny holidays, therefore it’s a symbol of higher socioeconomic status. Just as Courtney has mentioned in her report, statistics have shown that people universally rate tanned people as more attractive.

Tanning has been one of an important part of Australian culture since the 19 century. Tracking back to that age, Australians used to be customarily identified with the 'bronzed Aussie' stereotype, and they view it as an association with entertaining sports and an exercise-orientated lifestyle. Solariums were once commonly used in Australia as tanning had become a phenomenal hot topic since the 18th century, with the emerging popularity of sunbathing, and in the 1970s, tanning developed into a worldwide industry. Although the Australian tanning industry is relatively small-scaled compared to its counterpart, yet its size has quadrupled since 1992. It has been promoted that tanning is an efficient method to stimulate a higher level of vitamin D. The industry has associated it with fewer possibilities to get sunburn or serious skin cancers, with increased well-being and cheerfulness.

However, currently, people get to know the fact that deliberately and excessively exposing skin to sunlight multiplies the possibility of developing skin cancers. Given that more than 90 percent of melanomas are derived through exposure to the sun (Baade and Coory, 2005), Australian skin cancer preventive initiatives struggled to reverse this perception.

Skin Cancer in Australia

Worldwide, the highest skin cancer rates can be found in Australia and New Zealand. Skin cancer takes away about 2,000 lives in Australia annually, with roughly 800,000 diagnosed or treated. Most recent research conducted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (which is also known as AIHW) has rated Melanoma as the fourth most deadly cancer in Australia, with a standardized rate of incidence up to 51.7 in 2019.

What on earth has led to this astonishing incidence rate of skin cancer in Australia? As mentioned previously, Australians’ obsession with excessive sun exposure has been imposing serious threats on skin health. In addition to the enthusiastic pursuit for glowing brown skin, the high level of UV radiation as well as a great portion of the national population with fair skin who are prone to skin damage also contribute to this unfavorable result, said Sinclair and Foley.

High Level of Radiation

Solar radiation is what damages skin cells, and this can add up over time and multiply the risk of developing cancer. Australia, together with New Zealand, suffers from the highest UV radiation in the world. The UV Index is the measure of the sun-burning capability of UV lights, normally ranging between 1 and 10 in Canada (which represents the average UV standard). However, the research done by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric recorded that throughout Australia, the UV Index usually exceeds 13, 40 percent higher than the level recorded at parallel latitudes in North America. 

Fair Skin

Aussies are at a relatively high risk of skin diseases thanks to the fact that the majority of the population was born with fair skin, and it is a skin type that is more sensitive to sun damage.

An image from a SunSmart report clearly shows how skin colors and cancer risk are related. As can be seen from the chart below, the “very fair skin” and the “fair skin”, representing the largest proportion in the Australian population, often comes in conjunction with a massively high risk of sunburn and skin cancer risk. In comparison, those who were born with naturally dark skin are found to be less prone to those UV-relevant damages.

Tanning Methods in Australia

The rooted opinion that bronzed skin is much more desirable and healthier than fair skin has resulted in a diversified tanning industry in Australia. Rather than solely relying on sun exposure, people tend to turn to other methods, which seem to be more efficient and skin-friendly. Does “safe tan” exist?

Solariums

A solarium is a machine that emits UV radiation. It is a myth that this magical machine is a safe way to tan, on the contrary, they significantly increase your risk of skin cancer for the reason that the level of UV radiation released from tanning machines can be up to 6 times stronger than the midday sun. It is said that solarium tanners are facing a 59 percent higher threat of skin cancer before 35 than their counterparts who never use these machines.

However, in recent years, public campaigns have challenged the idea that solarium is a safe way to tan. While there have been some favorable developments, the longing for bronzed looks still exists, especially among the young. As a consequence, UV-free tanning approaches have become increasingly prevalent. It is suggested that you would better go for an approach free of UV radiation if you must tan.

Fake Tanning

Fake tanning is the use of products such as lotions, creams, or sprays that simulate a suntan by dyeing the outer layer of skin and it maybe be a safer alternative to sun tanning.

Tanning products available in Australia include:

Topical dyes – coming in creams, lotions, mousses, and sprays. Generally, these are made of plant tints that give skin a temporary bronzed color, which is the reason why they are known as “fake tan”. The color will be faded after a few days when the dye sheds with dead skin cells. The benefit of a fake tan is that it does not promote the production of melanin, which means that it is relatively skin-friendly.

Tan accelerators – products that can stimulate melanin production so as to accelerate the natural tanning process. However, using tan accelerators alone will never give you a bronzed look as it also requires a long-time of sun exposure. In that case, the application of tan accelerators does not protect you from sunburn or skin cancer. Additionally, when taken by mouth, its possible side effects may include nausea, headaches, and itchy skin.

Spray tanning booths – making people tanner by applying an even coat of dark-colored solution through spray guns. In the case of spray tanning, researchers have expressed worries about the possible inhaling of substances such as DHA and the color additive, yet it still remains controversial if DHA is hazardous when applied topically.

Fighting Against Skin Cancer

Despite the fact that excessive tanning is absolutely associated with the high risk of developing melanoma, the popularity of tanning, especially among the young and solarium users, is not faded at all as the perception is deeply rooted in the Australian culture. Fighting against melanoma, the Australian government has launched various kinds of campaigns about skin cancer prevention since the 1980s, which have experienced relative success nationwide. Thanks to the ongoing government investment and support on media strategies, mortality trends in melanoma have been stabilized, and this development can be reflected by raising public awareness on tanning issues.

Slip! Slop! Slap!

The campaign, initiated in 1981 by Australian cancer councils, is one of the most striking campaigns relevant to skin cancer prevention in Australia’s history through the use of a seagull singing a jingle “Slip on a shirt! Slop on some sunscreen! and Slap on a hat!”. As part of its success, the slogan has been further updated to Slip, Slop, Slap, Slide (on sunglasses), Seek (shaded areas).

No Tan is Worth Dying For

Aiming to regulate solarium use across Australia, the campaign was initially initiated by Clare Oliver, who suffered from melanoma and held a strong belief that cancer had been caused by indoor tanning. Following the death of this 26-year-old girl in 2007, the whole industry has been regulated by a state basis from 2008. Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia regulated the commercial use of solariums in 2008, requiring the indoor tanning businesses to obtain a business license and display relevant warnings. Regulations vary from state to state. In Victoria, people with fair skin and those below 16 were banned from solarium us’, whereas the age limit was set at 18 in South Australia and Western Australia. Legislation applying these standards was introduced by the remaining states in 2009 and 2010.

In conclusion, it is the ultimate truth that exposure to excessive UV radiation brings about deadly skin cancer. As experts suggest, if you must tan, go for sunless tanning. After all, “no tan is worth dying for”.