The incidence of cutaneous melanoma continues to rise in most populations with fair skin, because of increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight and from tanning beds. In June, 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified the entire ultraviolet radiation spectrum and artificial ultraviolet tanning devices as carcinogenic to human beings. In reaction to this classification, the indoor tanning industry in Europe launched a counter offensive which seems based on ambiguous arguments. On the one hand, the industry denies any link between indoor ultraviolet tanning and skin cancer, and makes a substantial effort to argue that vitamin D deficiency can cause increased risk of cancer and many other chronic diseases. However, no well undertaken randomised trial has shown that correction of vitamin D deficiency can actually decrease the risk of cancer or any other chronic disease.
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