New Study: Gay, Bi Men at Greater Risk of Skin Cancer Due to Tanning Bed Usage

A new study suggests gay and bisexual men are up to six times more likely to get skin cancer than heterosexual men because of their increased use of tanning beds, the Telegraph reports.

The research comes from the University of California, San Francisco and examined nearly 200,000 adults in the United States. Gay and bisexual men are six times more likely to use tanning beds and twice as likely to get skin cancer, according to the study. But only half of lesbians are at risk of developing skin cancer when compared to straight women, as they are less likely to use tanning beds.

"One likely cause of more skin cancer among gay and bisexual men is greater exposure to ultraviolet radiation caused by indoor tanning," said lead researcher Dr. Sarah Arron, associate professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco. "Many people, especially younger people, associate tanning with health and attractiveness, and unfortunately, that myth has serious consequences."

Other studies have shown people who use tanning beds tend to also tan outside, adding to the risk of developing skin cancer, the Telegraph notes.

"Our hope is that this finding will help increase awareness among health care providers that gay and bisexual men constitute a high-risk population for skin cancer, which in turn will lead to increased public health education and more diligent skin cancer screening in this group of men," Dr. Arron said. "Recent research suggests that, fortunately, screening can increase early detection and decrease mortality from this disease."

The Telegraph reports the researchers used data from California Health Interview Surveys, which were conducted very two years between 2001 and 2009. The report was published in the journal JAMA Dermatology.