Public health doctor says it's “shocking” that people still use tanning beds despite the risk of skin cancer

A public health doctor from the HSE said it was “shocking” how frequently people were still using tanning beds, nearly a decade after laws restricting their use were put in place.

Dr Breeda Neville warned that using tanning beds if you're under 35 increases your risk of melanoma skin cancer by 75%.

She urged people to use fake tan products instead, and to stay safe in the sun by using sunscreen and sunglasses.

she A study by Cork-based researchers has revealed the true extent of tanning bed use in Ireland..

A study by South Infirmary and Victoria University Hospital and Cork University College found that almost half of the 1,000 people surveyed had used tanning beds despite knowing the risks to their skin, and around 10.6% had used a tanning bed in the past year.

“It's shocking, it's really worrying that tanning bed use is continuing to this extent,” Dr Neville said.

“My advice would be to never use it.”

She pointed to Australian research which showed some machines emitted ultraviolet light “equivalent to five times the intensity of the Australian midday sun”.

Those under 35 are at higher risk, she said.

Using a tanning bed even once in your lifetime has been shown to increase your risk of developing melanoma skin cancer by 20% even after just one use.

Dr Neville, who works with the National Cancer Control Program, recommends following five steps before sun exposure: “Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide.”

You can “put on” loose clothing, you can “apply” about 1 oz of sunscreen to an adult's entire body, you can “snap on” a wide-brimmed hat, you can “seek” shade, and you can “slip on” sunglasses.

She denied claims widely shared on social media that sunscreen can cause cancer as a “myth”.

“This is really worrying,” she said.

“The chemicals that are in chemical sunscreens are very rigorously tested, they have ingredient lists, they have safe ingredients, and they're very highly regulated.”

She added: “Everything in the sunscreens you can buy in Ireland right now is on that list.”

These are sunscreens that are absorbed into the skin, but you can also opt for thicker mineral sunscreens that contain zinc oxide, for example.

Sun protection factor 50 is recommended until the age of 18, and a minimum of factor 30 after that, she said.

“All we want is for people to enjoy the sun safely,” she added.

“There are so many physical and mental benefits to being outdoors, so we're not telling people not to go outside.”

Call for a ban on tanning beds

This week politicians called for a ban on sunbeds.

The survey showed that 41.5% of people used a tanning bed in 2020, with 10.6% using it an average of eight times.

Senator Tim Lombard said: “It is long past time to remove VAT from tanning products. Ten years after banning tanning beds for under-18s, it is time to talk about banning them for everyone.”

“Australia has a total ban on tanning beds, which has an impact on our health and costs to the state,” Christopher O'Sullivan, Fianna Fáil MP for Cork South West, said.

“I call on the Irish Prime Minister to consider a total ban on the use of tanning beds, as this would not only save money but most importantly save lives.”

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