'No doubt' sunbeds cause cancer

There is no doubt using a sunbed or sunlamp will raise the risk of skin cancer, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

IARC, which previously assessed sunbeds and sunlamps as "probably carcinogenic to humans", has recently changed its assessment and now says their use is definitively "carcinogenic to humans".

Campaigners believe the move, announced in the UK medical journal Lancet Oncology, will increase pressure for tighter industry regulation of sunbed use.

The IARC is an expert committee that makes recommendations to the World Health Organisation.

It made its decision following a review of research which concluded that the risk of melanoma (the most deadly form of skin cancer) was increased by 75% in people who started using sunbeds regularly before the age of 30.

In addition, several studies have linked sunbed use to a raised risk of melanoma of the eye.

Earlier this year, the Victorian Government introduced legislation requiring solarium operators to display health warnings, register their businesses and turn away customers under the age of 16. The regulations also required tanning salons to prohibit fair-skinned people and children under 16 from using use a sunbed.

In June, Melbourne's The Sunday Age reported that Victoria's solarium industry was on the brink of collapse, with Government figures showing that 196 businesses have either closed or removed their sunbeds since regulations were introduced.

Speaking of the changes, Jessica Harris, Cancer Research UK's Health Information Officer stated "the link between sunbeds and skin cancer has been convincingly shown in a number of scientific studies now and so we are very pleased that IARC have upgraded sunbeds to the highest risk category.

"This backs up Cancer Research UK's advice to avoid sunbeds completely for cosmetic purposes. They have no health benefits and we know that they increase the risk of cancer."

For more information go to www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/onlinefirst

23rd June 2009 - TANNING SALONS FADING