Ban sunbeds to cut dangers of cancer, urges skin expert

By Celia Hall, Medical editor Copyright 1999 Daily Telegraph March 3, 1999

Sunbeds should be banned because they increase the risk of cancer, a leading skin specialist said yesterday.

Prof John Hawk, consultant dermatologist at St Thomas' Hospital, London, fears an increase in skin cancers in the next few years as a result of regular use of sunbeds.

He said that between 50 and 60 per cent of people who used them once or twice a week for four years would develop pre-cancerous cells that could eventually lead to cancer.

"Skin cancer can take 20 years to develop and the sunbed industry is still relatively young," Prof Hawk said in London at a Health Education Authority briefing.

He recognised that a total ban would be "impossible at present" because of commercial pressures.

Prof Hawk said that there were reports from the United States and elsewhere of people dying from using sunbeds.

"It is a very small number, probably 20 worldwide, but it is still worrying," he said. "We have been told for years that sunbeds are safe, but they are not. They have the same effect as being in the sun. We have to highlight the problem to the utmost to dissuade people from using them."

A survey by the Health Education Authority found that more than three million people in Britain had used a sunbed in the past year. Among 16- to 24-year-olds the use was almost double.

Last year the authority urged councils to ban sunbeds from health and sports centres.

"So far around 20 councils have agreed to get rid of them," a spokesman said. "The problem is that they have often sub-contracted the service and the people running them make a lot of money from sunbeds."

Other problems associated with sunbeds include premature ageing of the skin, skin fragility and increased risk of cataracts, the authority said.

Side-effects of a session on a sunbed can include sunburn, with blistering and peeling; a bumpy, itchy rash; and eye irritation if goggles have not been worn.

Christopher New, the authority's skin cancer campaign manager, said: "We are targeting high-risk groups with a much more hard-hitting campaign this year.

"We know that young men and women are aware of the dangers of the sun but still regard a suntan as attractive and believe it makes them feel healthier."

Every year 40,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer. Rates have been doubling every 10 years. There are 2,000 deaths from skin cancer each year in Britain.

The Sunbed Association, which has 700 members, said: "Obtaining a suntan in a controlled environment through the sensible use of a sunbed is undoubtedly a more responsible approach to getting a suntan than overexposure to natural sunlight.

"All operator and hirer members of the Sunbed Association, including leisure centres, private health clubs, tanning and beauty salons, work to a strict code.

"This requires that health checks and a skin analysis are carried out and the number of sessions recorded and monitored for each customer."

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