|
The deadliest form of skin cancer has become the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in their 20s for the first time.
Experts said a 'binge-tanning' epidemic had propelled malignant melanoma above cervical cancer.
Almost every day, one woman aged between 20 and 29 is diagnosed with skin cancer. In this age group there are now twice as many cases of melanoma as there are breast cancer.
Last night campaigners slammed the Government for dragging its heels over plans to ban the use of sunbeds by under-18s.
Experts say a 'binge-tanning' epidemic is to blame for increased skin cancer rates
Ministers raised the idea last April - but have done nothing about it, even though studies show regular sunbed use under the age of 30 increases melanoma risk by 75 per cent.
They also suggested outlawing unstaffed, coin-operated tanning booths, which are thought to attract younger users and are around three times as powerful as a decade ago.
Enlarge Aimee Broberg from Middlesbrough showing the scars on her arms after two years of using sunbeds twice every day (see related story)
A 20-minute visit to one of these booths is equivalent to spending a day at the beach, which doctors say can cause lasting damage.
Estimates are that three million Britons regularly use sunbeds despite concerns over the health risks.
The Cancer Research UK figures from 2005 - the latest available - show that 338 women aged between 20 and 29 were diagnosed with melanoma, compared with 298 for cervical cancer.
Melanoma diagnoses have soared by a third since 2003, when there were 220 cases, compared with 270 for cervical cancer. Experts say the number of cases is almost certain to have risen yet further in the years since 2005.
And for women in their 30s, melanoma has risen to be the third most common cancer after breast and cervix tumours.
Nina Goad, of the British Association of Dermatologists, said: 'These shocking figures show it is now time for action.'
Caroline Cerny, Cancer Research UK's SunSmart campaign manager, blamed 'binge-tanning' - particularly under sunbeds - for the increase.
'Spending too much time on sunbeds is just as dangerous as staying out too long in the sun,' she said. Sunbeds don't offer a safe way to tan. The intensity of UV rays in some sunbeds can be more than ten times stronger than the midday sun.
'Excessive exposure to UV damages the DNA in skin cells which increases the risk of skin cancer and makes skin age faster.
|
|
There was a young girl of I think 10 on tv this evening, showing how badly she got burned. She wanted to be tanned like her sister, so got all her pocket money and went to one of the automated unmanned ones, and went on for I think about 15 minutes, they are very high powered. Now she went without her mother's consent and there was a sign saying no under 16s but she ignored that, she obviously had no idea about any safety measures but to my mind, she is in the wrong, not the company who her family seem to be blaming. For a start I would want to know where my 10 year old was as she would have been gone for a little while and stripping off even partially in a place like that leaves a young person open to lots of other dangers too when there is no one supervising the place. Could be anyone lurking nearby.
I used to use sunbeds in the late 70s and early 80s and again once or twice in the last ten years, not recently tho, but a few short sessions before I went abroad on holiday but would not use them now and always took care. I have a friend who uses them all year round, she is 12 years younger than I but has skin like leather and looks orange most of the time, most unattractive. Now her own daughter is using them too altho not quite as often I don't think.
I noticed one of our local newsreaders on tv today must have been sitting outside as you could see how red she was and when she moved you could see the white shape of her neckline. She is a young Mum in her 30s so should have more sense.
Take care everyone.
Lizx
|
