Your Body: The high cost of skin cancer

iStock/ThinkstockBy DR. JENNIFER ASHTON, ABC News Senior Medical Contributor

Health experts have been warning about the dangers of indoor tanning – but now they have an actual dollar figure to back up those concerns.

Researchers have calculated that the cost of medical care of tanning-associated skin cancers reaches a staggering $343 million every year. Not only does this add up to a high annual medical cost, but also a total “economic loss” of $127 billion over the lifetime of the individuals who have these skin cancers.

The World Health Organization has clearly defined ultraviolet exposure as a known carcinogen.

Many people feel fake tans are safer than real tans or burns, but that’s just not true. If you feel the need to get that bronze glow, I recommend trying some of the great self tanners on the market today.

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