>> Skin Cancer

Sunbeds                 

• The British Association of Dermatologists would like the government to restrict sunbed use for under-18s.
  
• We are also calling for a ban on coin-operated, unmanned sunbeds.
  
• Many salons do not provide adequate information on the health risks either, but instead advertise somewhat spurious health ‘benefits’.
  We would therefore also like to see better point of sale information supplied, outlining the health risks so people can make a more informed decision regarding sunbed use.
  
• Many people do not understand the risks that these machines pose, especially when they can be found at sports centres and places that suggest they are ‘healthy’, which sends conflicting messages. We would therefore like to see the removal of sunbeds from all health facilities such as gyms and sports centres.
  
• The British Association of Dermatologists believes that Scotland’s move to limit sunbed use, as well as informing people as to the risks, is a huge step in the right direction.
  
• The perceived health gains from tanning, such as vitamin D production, can easily be achieved by other means, including diet and supplements.

Statistics:

A study published in the August 2007 British Journal of Dermatology uncovered worrying new findings about sunbeds, including a rise in ‘high power’ sunbeds and a lack of knowledge by users of the cancer risks involved.

Scientists at the Ninewells Hospital & Medical School in Dundee compared current sunbed usage to a 1998 survey of sunbeds in the Dundee, Perth and Kinross areas, and also surveyed the habits and opinions of sunbed users.

Their study revealed a 30 percent increase in the number of privately operated sunbeds since 1998, despite increased warnings over the cancer dangers involved in sunbed use.

The team also measured the levels of cancer-causing UV radiation created by each sunbed, and found that a shocking 83 percent produced UVB radiation levels that exceed the European standard. UVB is generally considered to be particularly dangerous and is closely linked to induction of skin cancer.

Equally worrying is the emergence of stronger, high power sunbeds. Dr Harry Moseley, Consultant Clinical Scientist and one of the study’s authors, said: “In an earlier study we found that sunbeds carried a cancer risk similar to that of UK summer sun. However, since our initial study, there have been technological developments leading to new, high power ‘fast tan’ units. These have become increasingly popular, along with the emergence of unmanned sun parlours.

“People sometimes use sunbeds in the mistaken belief that they are a safe alternative to conventional tanning, but this is simply not the case – the average sunbed now carries the same cancer risk as the midday southern European sun.”

The researchers then conducted a survey of sunbed users, discovering that a staggering 15 percent do not believe that sunbeds carry a health risk. Of those who did feel sunbeds carry risks, only 56 percent mentioned cancer.                                                                                       

Other findings of concern are as follows:
• Half of respondents started using sunbeds early in life, between the ages of 16 and 24
• Almost a quarter have been using sunbeds for more than 10 years
• Over a third have had between 29 and 40 sunbed sessions in the past year, and over a quarter more than 50 sessions
• A quarter never use goggles to protect their eyes
• Only seven percent had actually been advised to wear goggles

Dr Moseley said: “In comparing these results with those obtained in the earlier study, a number of key differences should be highlighted. We have found a 30 percent increase in the number of privately operated sunbeds. This is particularly disturbing because in the earlier study, in which we looked at environmental health factors, we found that many privately operated sunbeds had major faults; for example, 89 percent did not attempt to impose a limit on the number of sessions, 81 percent provided inadequate information, 59 percent maintained no customer records and 33 percent failed to display guidance. Therefore, it is a cause for concern that the number of sunbeds provided by the private sector is increasing.

“Another factor that has emerged is that the mean cancer risk for all machines is now comparable to that from Mediterranean sun, whereas in the previous study this only applied to stand-up booths. This increase in carcinogenic potential is directly related to the widespread use of high power sunlamps, both in stand-up booths and lie-down sunbeds.

“Also, for the first time, we identified premises with unmanned sunbeds. These have no supervision and anyone, including children, may use the facilities. There is no limit imposed on the dose per session nor the number of sessions.

“The majority of sunbeds do not comply with the British and European standard for cosmetic tanning units. 83 per cent of sunbeds produced UVB irradiances that exceeded the limit specified in the standard. Product standards are intended to protect the public but, clearly, sunbed manufacturers are ignoring the standard and there is no effective control on the suppliers or operators.

Notes:
1. If using this study in the media, please ensure you mention that the study is being released in the British Journal of Dermatology, the publication of the British Association of Dermatologists (August 2007 edition)

2. The study is titled ‘Qualitative risk assessment of sunbeds: impact of new high power lamps’. Authors: Harry Moseley, James Ferguson, Hannah Oliver – The Photobiology Unit, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK

3. BJD is published by Blackwells.

For more information or further statistics, please contact:

Nina Goad, BAD Communications Manager, Phone: 0207 391 6355, Email: nina@bad.org.uk, Website: www.bad.org.uk