| Teen health at risk from tanning fad |
http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=231771&command=displayContent&sourceNode=231774&contentPK=20007616&folderPk=108867&pNodeId=231888 TEEN HEALTH AT RISK FROM TANNING FAD Date : 28.02.08 Rocketing numbers of teenagers and young people in Gloucestershire are developing skin cancer as a result of tanning beds and cheap flights abroad.The number of people in the county developing the killer disease has surged by 20 per cent during the past three years. In 2003, 1,081 cases were recorded and this rose to 1,279 in 2005. The vast proportion of those diagnosed with malignant melanoma are between the ages of 15 and 49. Between 2002 and 2005, 25 per cent of diagnosed cases of skin cancer were found in that age range. Experts in the county fear sunbathing binges during two-week trips to the beach could be partly to blame. The popularity of tanning salons and pressure for young people to get a tan is also bringing cancer rates up. Louise Pound, Gloucestershire's skin cancer specialist nurse, helps to treat hundreds of patients each year. She said: "In Gloucestershire we have a large and a very diverse rural population. "There are a lot of wealthy people who travel and rural workers who spend their time outside. "A tan is still largely seen as a sign of healthy skin and this needs to change. "But worryingly skin damage is largely done at an early age and children and young people need to be protected. "Our youngest patient is six and we have a cluster of patients between the ages of 16 and 24. We are seeing more young people who do not fully appreciate the risks of sunbathing." Louise says many young people use sunbeds to top up a tan before going to a club. There are people who have used sunbeds and have not been abroad very much. "There is a lot of pressure from an early age to get a sun tan," said Louise (pictured). "There are groups of girls as young as eight and nine who dress up. "Children want to get a tan and we come across peer pressure on a regular basis. "It's shocking. It must be the community's responsibility as there is very little legislation to control the sunbeds. "Research shows that using a sunbed increases your chance of skin cancer by 70 per cent." Cases of malignant melanoma are increasing faster than any other cancer in Britain. It is also the second most common form of cancer among 20 to 39-year-olds. Louise travels the county educating people of all ages about the dangers of excessive sunbathing. Cancer Research UK and the Department of Health have also been at the forefront of campaigns including 'SunSmart' telling young people and mothers of young children how to stay safe in the sun. Skin surveillance days are planned at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital on May 5 and 6. For more information, visit www.cancerresearchuk.org or www.skincancer.org |Print Story| |Close Window| |
