After just a few minutes of internet research, I have found some very conflicting information about the use of sun beds and its link to skin cancer. Even without researching this seems a never ending debate thrust in our faces by the media. As I currently write, The Telegraph have published an article called “Skin cancer rates soar thanks to sunbeds and cheap holidays”. The piece has been written in light of new research carried out by Cancer Research UK which was published just yesterday.
The new report claims that the rates of malignant melanoma, which is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, are five times higher in the UK than they were in the 1970s. The report states that the most important risk when it comes to melanoma is being exposed to too much UV light. CRUK’s study states that four in five melanomas are caused by over exposure to UV rays. Head of statistics at CRUK, Nick Ormiston-Smith, said: “Since the mid 70’s, malignant melanoma rates in the UK have increased more rapidly than any of today’s 10 most common cancers.”
The CRUK’s report has sparked a backlash from The Sunbed Association who regularly respond to medical reports released about the link between sunbed exposure and melanoma skin cancer. The Sunbed Association’s chairman, Gary Lipman, posted a response to the CRUK’s report on the 22/04. Lipman wrote: “Cancer Research UK (CRUK) is deliberately misleading the media and the public in its latest release regarding malignant melanoma rates when it attempts to point the finger at sunbeds as one of the factors for this increase.”
I wanted to question Lipman on just how qualified he was to make statements like the one above. Unfortunately he was unavailable for comment. However, Lipman is extremely outspoken on his website which promotes a business with joining fees and a page about the benefits of Vitamin D (gained from UV exposure) and the various ways it’s beneficial for your health.
Interestingly, there is no mention on The Sunbed Association’s website about two other types of skin cancer, Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Unlike some contradictory reports on linking Melanoma’s and the over exposure to UV light, there is undeniable evidence that these two cancers are the direct result of sun damage.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer, based in the US explain, “those who use sunbeds are 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma and 1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma, the two most common forms of skin cancer. Additionally, indoor tanners have a 69 percent increased risk of early-onset basal cell carcinoma.”
Michelle Scott, a Basal Cell cancer sufferer, says The Sunbed Association are behaving incredibly irresponsible by trying to promote health benefits and deny links to any harm. Miss Scott was given advice from a consultant who diagnosed her with Vitiligo ten years ago. The consultant advised her that the best way to cure the white pigmented spots on her arms was to have a good session on a sunbed. Scott, who has just had her sixth operation to remove Basal Cell Carcinoma’s, bought a sunbed and kept it in her spare room. Whenever the Vitiligo appeared she would use the bed regularly until the spots had faded. She says, “the irony of it all is that because of vanity, I used the sunbed and as a result, the scars from the operations are far worse.”
Fiona Hickman is a salon owner of the Beauty and Tanning Lounge in Derbyshire. The salon is an affiliated member of The Sunbed Association. I spoke to her about the new report. Fiona insists that GP’s are still recommending her clients to the salon for sunbed use to treat skin conditions. Last week Fiona received a letter from the council stating all tanning tubes need to be lowered in strength to be brought in line with the Sunbeds Regulation Act 2010. The Act which came into force on the 8th April 2011.
With GP’s still recommending sunbed use and local councils taking three years to enforce government legislature, it seems inevitable that we will be seeing a further rise in skin cancers for years to come.
To hear the 7 minute audio piece, click on the link below.
Popularity of Sunbeds Despite Cancer Risks 