Last July, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a working group of the World Health Organization (WHO), added tanning beds to its Group 1 list, meaning the use of tanning beds is considered a dangerous carcinogen for humans. Other examples of Group 1 carcinogens include radon and tobacco smoke.

“Our culture changed in the 1920s, with the popularity of convertible cars and Coco Chanel’s bathing attire that no longer covered the whole person. Suddenly, it wasn’t fashionable to have a creamy white complexion,” said Karrie Fairbrother of Helena. A nurse educator who travels around the state focusing on skin cancer prevention and early detection, Fairbrother is the former president of the Dermatology Nurse’s Association.

“I challenge young kids,” Fairbrother said, to be the changing force in their families. Just as seatbelts have saved lives, she continued, “If we can change the way society views tanning, we will save lives.”

During the 2009 Montana Legislative Session, Fairbrother worked along with Sen. Lynda Moss from Billings to start a bill that would restrict the use of tanning beds by minors. They were unsuccessful.

“We are not trying to tell adults what to do. Adults have the ability to make their own decisions. But we don’t let children harm themselves. You wouldn’t hand them a cigarette, so why send them to a tanning bed? Also with minors, their cells are dividing and growing, so we feel that they have a more substantial risk,” Fairbrother said.

Lori Carey of Helena has already fought two cases of melanoma in her 38 years. The first was in 1997, shortly after her wedding.

“I had a large, red, triangular-shaped mole on the outside-bottom of my right breast. It was not a place that had seen the sun too many times, but I had used tanning beds off and on throughout high school and college, and of course I didn’t wear any clothing in those. I had multiple blistering sunburns in my childhood,” Carey said.

Carey’s dermatologist hasn’t said what for sure caused her melanoma. But when Carey told her all the sun and indoor sun exposure she had growing up, she was shocked.

“I always wanted to look my best, especially for prom, spring break, my wedding and other special occasions,” she said.

“If I had it to do over, I would exercise more and tan less. If you’re fit, you can get away with being pasty. I would never even think about a tanning bed. Melanoma is deadly. It’s just not worth the risk,” Carey said.

While some tanning bed users tan so they won’t burn in the future, a good tan is equivalent to a sunscreen with an SPF of 2 to 4, according to the National Cancer Institute. A tan from a tanning bed also does not always increase Vitamin D synthesis because the UV component you receive from indoor tanning is predominantly UVA, which does not increase Vitamin D levels like UVB.

However, tanning salon owners and users say that a sunburn is to blame, whether or not it is from a tanning bed or from the sun. Donnie Hedlind, owner of Club Sun in Kalispell stresses that there is no proof that tanning beds themselves cause or do not cause skin cancer.

“Overexposure causes skin cancer. Unlike the sun, in a tanning booth your exposure is regulated.” Hedlind said. “I don’t have any control over how much you go out in the sun and burn your skin. But when you come into my salon, I have a heck of a lot control over how many minutes you are going to be exposed, and therefore I can keep overexposure from happening.”

For Fairbrother, educating the public about skin cancer prevention is more than part of her job. It has become her passion ever since her husband died of melanoma in 1989.

“The loss of human life is real,” Fairbrother said. “If you see something on your skin changing, go see a doctor right away. If found early skin cancer is 95 percent curable. If found late it is only 15 percent curable.”

— Jessica Gray is a freelance writer who lives in Great Falls with her husband and three elementary-school aged children. Her work has appeared in several regional publications.

Here are some dietary tips of for better immune:

Give up refined sugar

Refined sugar triggers inflammation process. By giving up refined sugar, you strengthen your immune system. You can find refined sugar in soda, catsup, to cookies and crackers.

Spice up your food

Spices and herbs cannot only add flavor to your foods, it can also help you to prevent cancer. There are many spices which can strengthen our immune system. Some of those spices are basil, rosemary, basil, mint, turmeric and ginger. Add them in your daily food to keep you away from cancer.

Consume anti-oxidant foods

There are so many foods out there which contain anti-oxidant, an important substance to fight cancer. Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage and omega 3 containers such as mackerel, sardines, and salmons can fight the free radicals which cause cancer cells to grow. The good news is chocolate, red wine, and caffeine also contain anti-oxidant.

Chill out

Stress can weaken our immune system. Keep yourself away from stress condition. Do stress relieving activities for your body and mind such as yoga, meditation, or music therapy.

Exercise

Studies have reported that a brief 30 minutes walk everyday can reduce the risk of developing cancer and other diseases.