The HSE and Healthy Ireland have reminded people of the dangers of using sunbeds - as new research revealed grim statistics for anyone aged 35 and under.
The National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) issued the warning in the aftermath of the new data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer Working Group.
They discovered that people who have used a sunbed before the age of 35 increase their risk of developing melanoma by 75%.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies sunbeds as carcinogenic to humans.
Sunbeds give out harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that damage the DNA in skin cells. Sunbeds can cause skin cancer, cataracts and skin to age prematurely, making it look coarse, leathery and wrinkled, as well as causing sunburn.
Children and young people are particularly vulnerable. Children who use sunbeds are much more likely to get the most serious type of skin cancer when they are adults.
Dr Triona McCarthy, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, HSE’s NCCP says: “Sunbeds give out UV rays that increase the risk of developing skin cancer, both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.
"There is no safe limit for exposure to UV radiation from sunbeds. It is important to remember that if you use fake tan it doesn’t protect you from UV rays. It is still important to protect yourself from the sun by following the SunSmart 5 S’s”
Skin cancer is the most common and fastest growing cancer in Ireland with almost 13,000 cases each year.
The SunSmart 5 S's are: Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide:
- Slip on clothing: Cover skin as much as possible, wear long sleeves, collared t-shirts, clothes made from close-woven material that does not allow sunlight through.
- Slop on broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen: Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30+ for adults and 50+ for children, with high UVA protection and water-resistant. Reapply regularly. No sunscreen can provide 100% protection, it should be used alongside other protective measures such as clothing and shade.
- Slap on a wide-brimmed hat: Protect your face, ears and neck.
- Seek shade: Sit in the cover of trees to avoid direct sunlight. Use a sunshade on your buggy or pram. Keep babies and children out of direct sunlight.
- Slide on sunglasses: Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses with UV protection.
The number of people being diagnosed with skin cancer in Ireland is rising rapidly.
Healthy Ireland published the first National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan 2019-2022 for Ireland in May 2019.
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