Sexual Orientation and Indoor Tanning Device Use

Abstract

should be analyzed because they may be more prevalent among sexual minority men 4 and associated with skin cancer risk behaviors. 5 Sexual orientation disparities in other skin cancerrelated behavioral risk factors should be further examined. 6 Gay and bisexual men reported not only significantly more indoor tanning than straight men but also rates comparable to women. Although previous efforts at curbing indoor tanning have focused on high-risk groups, such as young women, the large magnitude of disparities in the burden of indoor tanning among gay and bisexual men warrants critically needed research and targeted clinical and public health interventions.

Who, why, where: an overview of determinants of sunbed use in Europe

“…Recent American investigations found that gay and bisexual men engage significantly more in indoor tanning practices than straight men and display prevalence of use comparable to women . The opposite association was found for homosexual women .…”

Dermatologic care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons

“…45 Non-infectious diseases Skin cancer and indoor tanning-Skin cancer and indoor tanning might be more common among MSM. [46][47][48][49][50] In national and California surveys from 2001 to 2013, gay and bisexual men were twice as likely as heterosexual men to report having had non-melanoma skin cancers. 47 In those surveys, indoor tanning and frequent indoor tanning were 2 to 6 times more common among gay and bisexual men than heterosexual men.…”

Dermatologic care of sexual and gender minority/LGBTQIA youth, Part 2: Recognition and management of the unique dermatologic needs of SGM adolescents

“…One likely explanation for this disparity is that ultraviolet (UV) light exposure behaviors differ among SMM. As compared to heterosexual males, SMM report between three‐ to sixfold higher rates of indoor tanning, a known human carcinogen . This includes adolescent and young adult SMM, among whom indoor tanning is most associated with increased skin cancer risk .…”

“…As compared to heterosexual males, SMM report between three‐ to sixfold higher rates of indoor tanning, a known human carcinogen . This includes adolescent and young adult SMM, among whom indoor tanning is most associated with increased skin cancer risk . SMM are also more likely to use sunless tanning products and less likely to wear protective clothing when outdoors, indicating an increased desire for tanned skin and, potentially, chronic sun exposure in this group …”