Over a quarter of Welsh people are regularly using sunbeds
- New data shows 26% of people in Wales are using sunbeds at least once per year and 20% at least once per month.
- 15% of Welsh people have used illegal injections or nasal sprays to intensify their suntans
- 34% of UK 16-17 year olds are using sunbeds despite legal ban.
New data released today by Melanoma Focus has shown that 26% of people in Wales are using sunbeds at least once per year and 20% at least once per month.[1]
A national survey commissioned by the charity also revealed an alarming trend of sunbed use among young people across the UK. Despite the 2011 law banning sunbeds for under 18s, the charity’s research has found that 34% of young people aged 16 to 17 are using them at least once per year and 23% at least once per month, putting themselves at serious risk of skin cancers including melanoma.[2]
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and rates are rising in the UK.[3] The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified ultraviolet (UV) radiation from commercial sunbeds as a Type 1 carcinogen, meaning it is a known cause of cancer in humans in the same category as asbestos and smoking.[4]
Young skin is particularly vulnerable to the risks of sunbeds and research has shown that sunbed use prior to age 35 increases the risk of melanoma by 59%.[5]
In addition to sunbed use, the rise in popularity of tanning nasal sprays and injections has added another layer of concern. These artificial substances include melanotan-II to stimulate the pigment cells in the skin to produce more melanin, making skin look darker. The health risks associated with these tanning methods are increasingly coming to light and no forms of melanotan-II have been approved for human use in the UK.[6]
The Melanoma Focus survey found that 15% of Welsh adults (and 21% of UK 16-17 year olds) say they have used nasal sprays or injections intended to intensify their tan.[7]
Susanna Daniels, CEO of Melanoma Focus, said:
“This data clearly demonstrates that the UK sunbed industry is failing to follow the law and is endangering young people.
“The evidence is unequivocal, sunbeds pose a significant risk factor for developing melanoma skin cancer which is why they have been banned in Australia and Brazil.
“Alarmingly, our survey also found that around a third of people using melanotan-II nasal sprays or injections purchased them from sunbed salons. We strongly urge the public to avoid using sunbeds and to educate themselves on the dangers of melanotan-II products.
“Furthermore, we call upon sunbed salons to take responsibility by adhering to the law which is designed to protect children from the dangers of skin cancer.”
Emma Giannuzzi, age 35 from Rogerstone in South Wales, was diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in 2012. She said:
“I used sunbeds from around the age of 16. I remember I used to use them before going on holiday because I wanted to get a ‘base tan’ which feels ridiculous now but as a teenager I always wanted a glowing tan and I also thought it would stop me from burning. I just used to go to the salon and put coins in a slot to get the sunbed to work, no one ever asked me my age. I used to use them a few times a week for a month or two before a holiday. I stopped when I was around 20 when I learnt about the dangers of sunbeds but, by then, the damage had been done.
“When I was 23 I noticed one of my moles had changed and become darker. I had it removed and it was a shock when doctors told me it was melanoma. I had surgery but, unfortunately, I had a second melanoma confirmed seven years later. I was pregnant at the time and it was terrifying. I had further surgery and I feel very lucky to still be here for my children.
“Getting cancer twice in my 20s has caused me severe anxiety. People often dismiss melanoma as just something that can be cut out and it’s gone. As if it’s an easy cancer, but it’s not. I worry about my future every day. It’s really not worth putting your life at risk by using sunbeds.”
Professor Catherine Harwood, Consultant Dermatologist and Melanoma Focus Trustee said:
“The ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted by sunbeds are proven to increase the risk of developing skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form.
“Using sunbeds at any age can lead to DNA damage in skin cells, which significantly raises the likelihood of developing skin cancer later in life. Young people are particularly vulnerable.”
ENDS
#MelanomaAwarenessMonth
#KnowYourSkin
[1] The survey of 2,000 adults aged 16+ asked How often, if at all, do you use a sunbed? 25.53% of respondents in Wales selected options more frequently and including at least once per year. 20.21% selected options more frequently and including at least once per month.See the full survey results here (Q6).
[2] The survey of 100 UK 16-17 year olds asked How often, if at all, do you use a sunbed? 34% of respondents selected options more frequently and including at least once per year. 23% selected options more frequently and including at least once per month. See the full survey results here (Q6).
[3] From 2017-2019, melanoma skin cancer incidence rates increased by almost a third (31%) in the UK: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/melanoma-skin-cancer#heading-Zero
[4] In 2009, as a response to data highlighting the risks associated with indoor tanning, the World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified ultraviolet light emitted from tanning beds as carcinogenic, and placed artificial sources of ultraviolet radiation alongside tobacco and asbestos in the highest category of carcinogen: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4929140/#:~:text=In%202009%2C%20as%20a%20response,ultraviolet%20radiation%20alongside%20tobacco%20and
[5] Boniol M, Autier P, Boyle P, et al. Correction to Cutaneous melanoma attributable to sunbed use: systematic review and meta-analysis(link is external). BMJ 2012;345:e8503. See also CRUK.
[6] Melanotan-II is a is an unlicensed and largely untested form of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, which causes pigmentation (tanning) of human skin: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/melanotan-ii Melanotan is made in different forms, including as a nasal spray and as an injection (‘tan jab’ or ‘tanning injections’). https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/sun-uv-and-cancer/fake-tan-and-melanotan-injections
[7] The survey of 2,000 adults aged 16+ asked Have you ever used nasal sprays or injections to intensify your tan? 14.89% of all Welsh respondents said either Nasal sprays, Injections or Both nasal sprays and injections. See the full survey results here (Q15). The survey of 100 UK 16-17 year olds asked Have you ever used nasal sprays or injections to intensify your tan? 21% said either Nasal sprays, Injections or Both nasal sprays and injections. See the full survey results here (Q15).