HSE issues reminder about dangers of sunbeds

The HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme and Healthy Ireland have issued a joint reminder to people that using sunbeds increases the risk of developing skin cancer.

Sunbeds are carcinogenic to humans, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, with children and young people particularly vulnerable.

In a statement, the HSE has pointed out that research shows that people who have used a sunbed before the age of 35 increase their risk of developing melanoma by 75 per cent. Exposure to ultra violet (UV) radiation during childhood was particularly harmful, it said, with children and young people particularly vulnerable.

Children who use sunbeds are much more likely to get the most serious type of skin cancer when they are adults.

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The HSE has also reminded people that it is illegal to allow under-18s to use sunbeds in sunbed premises and to sell or hire a sunbed to people under 18 years of age.

Sunbeds give out harmful UV rays that damage the DNA in skin cells causing skin cancer, cataracts and the skin to age prematurely, making it look coarse, leathery and wrinkled, as well as causing sunburn.

Skin cancer is the most common and fastest growing cancer in Ireland with almost 13,000 cases each year. UV is usually strongest between 11am and 3pm each day from April to September in Ireland, even when it’s cloudy.

Dr Triona McCarthy, of the HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme, said “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 Ss”.

This is a reference to “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 sunscreen (at least 30+ for adults and 50+ for children), with high UV protection and water-resistant. Reapply regularly;
• Slap on a wide-brimmed hat (to protect face, ears and neck);
• Seek shade (sit in the cover of trees to avoid direct sunlight. Keep babies and children out of direct sunlight); and
• Slide on sunglasses (to protect eyes).

It is forecast that by 2045 cases of melanoma in Ireland will increase by 67 per cent a year and non-melanoma skin cancer by 110 per cent.