Tanning Beds To Blame In Dramatic Skin Cancer Increase

The number of people in Scotland diagnosed with skin cancer has risen sharply in a decade, prompting experts to issue a warning about the dangers of using tanning beds Latest figures show a 62.8% rise in the number of cases of malignant melanoma between 2000 and 2010.

Malignant melanoma accounts for just 10% of all cases of skin cancer in the UK. However, it is the most serious form of the disease because, left untreated, it can spread to other organs and be difficult to control. It is responsible for most of the deaths from skin cancer.

The risk of getting skin cancer rises with age, but malignant melanoma is disproportionately high in younger people, with more than a third of cases involving those under 55.

Official figures released by the health statistics body ISD Scotland show there were 1,141 cases of malignant melanoma recorded in Scotland in 2010. The increase on the numbers in 2000 amount to a 66.2% rise in cases among men and 59.8% among women.

The main risk factor for skin cancer is exposure to natural and artificial sunlight, especially at a young age.

Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said in a statement: "These figures are yet another stark warning of the dangers of unsafe tanning - either in the sun or using sunbeds. People need to realise how essential it is to wear sunscreen and cover up in the sun. Doing this and avoiding sunbed use really could save your life." Case study

The Scottish Government cited the case of Jacqui Carruthers, a mother who was diagnosed with skin cancer at the age of 29 after a history of using sunbeds in preparation for nights out as well as sunbathing with little or no protection. She underwent treatment in hospital in Paisley after noticing that a mole on her back had changed colour. Free from cancer after three years, she is now warning others of the dangers of using sunbeds.

Jacqui, from Bishopton, Renfrewshire, said in a statement: "I sunbathed as a teenager and in my 20s. Although I wasn't a regular sunbed user, I used sunbeds occasionally prior to nights-out to make myself look good and have a healthy, tanned appearance.

"When I was diagnosed I felt as though my life had been pulled from under me. I was completely naive and didn't believe that this could happen to me. I'm not pale-skinned and I don't burn, so I didn't think that skin cancer would ever be an issue. I would warn anyone against using sunbeds as they are significantly increasing their risk of getting cancer." 'Worrying': Charity

Cancer Research UK said it was worrying to see that cases of malignant melanoma were increasing. Yinka Ebo, a senior health information officer at the charity, said in an emailed statement: "These statistics highlight the very real dangers of getting too much UV. When the sun is strong, either at home or abroad, use shade, clothing and at least factor 15 sunscreen applied generously and regularly to protect your skin.

"Cancer Research UK also recommends that people do not use sunbeds as they also increase the risk of skin cancer. We were involved in the successful campaign to introduce tighter legislation that includes a ban on under-18s using sunbeds.

Using a sunbed damages skin, making it look wrinkly, leathery and old. The dangers can go far beyond your looks - people who start using sunbeds before the age of 35 have a 75% higher risk of developing melanoma than people who do not use them."

Sunbed warning after skin cancer rise

Latest figures show a steep rise in the number of cases of skin cancer in Scotland, with sunbed use blamed for contributing to the increase.

The Sunbed Association, which represents around 2,000 tanning facilities across the UK, said it welcomed initiatives that raised awareness about the importance of responsible tanning, but accused NHS Scotland and Nicola Sturgeon of issuing information that was "full of supposition and ignorance".

Gary Lipman, the Association's chairman, said he contested claims that sunbed use was dangerous. "If you can tan in the sun, you can tan on a sunbed and the sunbed gives you a controlled level of UV exposure, unlike the sun," he said in a statement.

Mr Lipman challenged the Scottish Government to substantiate the claims that sunbed use had contributed to Jacqui Carruthers' melanoma, saying that she herself had denied being a regular user of sunbeds.

The Public Health (Scotland) Act 2008 banned the use of sunbeds by under 18s. It also required operators to display notices warning of the health risks and to provide information to users of sunbeds on those risks.

The malignant melanoma figures were part of a wider audit of cancer cases. It shows that that the number of cancers diagnosed in Scotland has increased over the last 10 years from 26,169 cases in 2000 to 29,449 in 2010.

Among men, the most common cancers are prostate, lung and colorectal cancers, which together account for 52% of male cancers. For women, the most common cancers are breast, lung and colorectal cancers, accounting for 56% of cancer among females.