UK: Salon visits increase cancer risk and provide no protection, says association
Those who visit sunbed salons to “top up” their holiday tans should be given a Government warning that they are increasing their risk of skin cancer, according to doctors.
The British Medical Association (BMA) has stated that frequent use can double the chance of some tumours developing – and while those who use sunbeds frequently are most at risk, even occasional use can result in eye damage, cancer, damaged skin and surpressed immune system.
The BMA’s head of science and ethics Vivienne Nathanson said: “We need a public health campaign to educate people about the dangers of sunbeds and also the myths about tanning. A suntan is not a sign of good health; a tan, even when there is no burning, always means the skin has been damaged. A suntan is not nature’s own sunscreen – it does not protect you from ultra-violet radiation.”
The Sunbed Association issued the following statement: “Sunbeds offer a controlled environment where sessions can be monitored and recorded to avoid UV over-exposure. This is certainly not the case when tanning outdoors.”
