1. `
Raising Awareness for Teen Tanning, Melanoma
and Current Iowa Legislation
Sarah Schellhammer1, Gabrielle Gauthier1, Sabrina Roberts1, Yaovi Aledi1, Holly Showalter, Ph.D.1 and Pramod Mahajan, Ph.D.2
1Waukee APEX, Waukee High School, Waukee IA; 2 Drake University, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Des Moines IA
Abstract
Teen tanning has been shown to increase the risks of melanoma at a
younger age.1 Tanning beds subject those who use them to harmful UV-A
rays that penetrate into the dermis.2 This project focuses on increasing
awareness of indoor tanning in the teenage community. Iowa is currently
one of eight states that has no regulations against tanning for those under
the age of eighteen. In the year 2015, the Iowa Bill SF-40 that prohibits
minors under the age of eighteen from using tanning devices was
introduced and passed in the House of Representatives but was not
passed by the Senate.3 Currently, members of the House of
Representatives have been in discussion about proposing a new bill that
prohibits minors who are the age of seventeen or younger from using
tanning devices. We support the newly proposed Bill and want to raise skin
melanoma awareness for all minors. We hope to accomplish this by using
social media and the research data we have collected with our awareness
campaign to create an effective and informational presentation directed
towards teenagers and their parent(s)/legal guardian.
Background
Methods
 This project is a continuation of the Teen Tanning Study: Waukee
High School Students’ Understanding of the Benefits and Hazards
of Tanning Practices. Our team took a portion of the information
previously collected and raised awareness for indoor tanning.
 Started our awareness campaign by creating two infographics
containing information about the dangers of tanning and
melanoma. The infographics were posted in public areas in
Waukee High School where the printed copies would receive a lot
of attention.
 Filmed a comedic informational video to direct negative attention
towards indoor tanning to teens and parents.
 To finish our awareness campaign we took four main questions
and asked the internet community to take an anonymous poll on
Twitter, just in time before prom. We collected the data from the
polls and portrayed our results in our tables and in our conclusion.
Results
 Raised awareness for skin cancer and
melanoma in the Des Moines metro
area.
 The average teen believes that tanning
makes them feel more attractive and
confident.
 Teenagers don't have enough
information provided to make safe
decisions about tanning.
 The average person in the west Des
Moines suburbs is aware that sunbed
tanning is unsafe.
 Tanning via sunbeds has a strong
correlation to skin cancers.
 Most of those in West Des Moines
suburbs who tan feel healthier, although
they know it is unsafe.
References
1. Fernández-Morano, T. et. al. "Adolescents’ Attitudes to Sun Exposure and Sun Protection."
Journal of Cancer Education (2016): n. pag. Web. 12 Feb. 2016.
2. Driscoll, Donna W., and Jennifer Darcy. "Indoor Tanning Legislation: Shaping Policy and Nursing
Practice." Pediatric Nursing (2015): n. pag. Print.
3. Quirmbach, Herman. "SF 40." Legiscan. N.p., 2015. Web. 25 Mar. 2016.
4. "AIM at Melanoma - Reshaping the Future Together." AIM at Melanoma. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr.
2016
5. "Skin Cancer Foundation." UVA & UVB. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2016.
6. Lazovich, DeAnn, R. et. al. "Indoor Tanning and Risk of Melanoma: Case-control Study in a
Highly Exposed Population." National Institution of Health (2010): n. pag. Print.
7. "Melanoma Skin Cancer." Skin Cancer. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2016.
8. Volkovova, K. et. al. "Associations between Environmental Factors and Incidence of Cutaneous
Melanoma. Review." Environmental Health Environ Health 11.Suppl 1 (2012): n. pag. Web.
9. Lazovich, DeAnn. "Association between Indoor Tanning and Melanoma in Younger Men and
Women." JAMA Dermatol (2016): n. pag. Web.
10. Cust, Anne E., B. et. al. "Sunbed Use during Adolescence and Early Adulthood Is Associated with
Increased Risk of Early-onset Melanoma." International Journal of Cancer Int. J. Cancer 128.10
(2010): 2425-435. Web
Conclusions
Tanning of the skin is defined by damage to one's skin cells to protect themselves by
sending signals by producing more melanin that causes the pigment of the skin to
darken.4 The tanning of the skin is the body's way of protecting itself from UV-rays.
There are two types of ultraviolet rays that can affect your skin. The sunlight that
reaches the skin consists of long ultraviolet A (UVA) waves and short ultraviolet B
(UVB) waves.5 Tanning devices expose you to both UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays
are considered to be the assumed factor of skin cancer formation.6 UVA could
possibly lead to skin cancer, including indirect damage to DNA.6 Melanoma accounts
for 1% of skin cancers cases, but causes a large majority of deaths. Symptoms of
Melanoma or other skin cancers may include sores, lumps, or an unusual growth or
a change in an existing mole.7 Melanoma can occur anywhere on the body and the
cause of the cancer is multifactorial with environmental, host, and genetic factors
contributing to its development.8 Younger women who tanned indoors experienced a
2.3- to 6 fold increase.9 A meta-analysis of 19 studies reported that ever-use of
sunbeds was associated with 15% increase of Melanoma.10 In America, Iowa is one
of eight states that has no regulation on tanning for teenagers.
N= 222 N= 188
N= 163 N= 184
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Emilie Hulse, Connor Littlefield, Maddie Green, Paul Akpan,
Anna Shapiro, Rachel Shapiro, Faith Wilson, and Amy Patel.