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794 people die each year in Europe from sunbed-induced skin cancer - research

Women account for most of the melanoma cases related to sunbeds, according to the British Medical Journal.

NEW RESEARCH PUBLISHED in the British Medical Journal has revealed that the risk of some types of skin cancer is increased by 20 per cent for those who use sunbeds.

The research also revealed that 794 people die each year in Europe from sunbed-induced skin cancer

The risk of melanoma is doubled if sunbeds are used before the age of 35, while more than five per cent of the almost 64,000 cases of malignant melanoma identified in Europe each year are diagnosed in sunbed users.

Studies from eighteen countries across Europe, including Ireland, were analysed to provide an overall picture. The researchers examined the prevalence of sunbed use in their subjects’ lifetimes.

One of the studies indicated that each annual sunbed session presents a 1.8 per cent increase in the risk of melanoma, while there is a 42 per cent increased risk for those who use the devices regularly.

Women accounted for most of the skin cancer cases relating to sunbeds with 6.9 per cent of all melanoma cases in women related to sunbed use.

In May Northern Ireland’s health minister Edwin Poots announced new legislation which bans people under the age of 18 from using, buying or hiring sunbeds. California has also banned the use of sunbeds for under 18s.

100 deaths from melanoma every year in Ireland>

NI to introduce ban on under-18s using sunbeds>

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23 Comments
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    Mute Debbie Ennis
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    Jul 25th 2012, 12:49 PM

    I am sorry if my following comment will offend anybody but those stupid idiots who use sunbeds regularly and get skin cancer I have absolutely no pity or sympathy !!! For ! It’s your own stupid fault How many f*****g times must you be told how seriously dangerous they are !!! Wake up and get a life !!! If you so desire to be tango’d 24/7 use an organic ( less chemicals on skin ) fake tan from a bottle !!

    64
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    Mute Brian Henoll
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    Jul 25th 2012, 2:16 PM

    Same could be said for smoking, drinking, eating crap food etc etc..

    56
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    Mute juliana
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    Jul 25th 2012, 12:47 PM

    Sunbeds should just be banned altogether!

    59
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    Mute Peter
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    Jul 25th 2012, 1:01 PM

    The government can regulate everything ban everything, if this was the case they could tell a fat person to go on a diet and take away their butter

    29
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    Mute LittleSparrowC
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    Jul 26th 2012, 6:21 PM

    You are right judging by the photo it dose your legs no favours either who knew it could bend your legs like that

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    Mute kelly whelan
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    Jul 25th 2012, 3:52 PM

    i had malignant melanoma removed from my arm 2 years ago and i can tell u it was the worst day of my life being told i had this. devastation does even describe how it was. i was also 3 months pregnant at the time. unfortunately i miscarried but it was a blessing in disguise as they were not goin to be able to remove it until the baby was born, & at that point the cancer progressing every day. Im not a sun bed or sun worshiper just unfortunately this is my make up and now the big ugly scars all over my body are a constant reminder every day. Im just glad and relieved that it had not spread and having too have my family and my children have a future without me. ur comment jenna is senseless and selfish but its ur body to do as u please.

    42
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    Mute Jenna Maroney
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    Jul 25th 2012, 1:33 PM

    It’s a person’s choice to use Sunbeds. And the risks are entirely their own. I’m tired of being berated for my mild usage of them by people who are smoking into my face. I know the risks, I understand the consequences and I won’t be crying to anyone should I end up with skin cancer. But my choice affects no one else. Yes they should be regulated, yes they should not be used without consultation and supervision. But the way I see it, I get no sun at all living in Ireland and I’m happy to get this small amount of vitamin D this way. If you’re going to ban Sunbeds you’re going to have to ban sunbathing. And smoking, drinking, fast food…….
    I’ll take my chances and you can continue to compliment me on my lovely colour when you think it’s achieved your socially acceptable way. I’m ‘hurting’ no one but myself and I accept that.

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    Mute Maria Cassin
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    Jul 25th 2012, 4:39 PM

    Jenna I agree that it is a personal choice as is Smoking, doing Drugs, Drinking Alcohol or doing Sunbeds but I think it is important that people are given the information on the risks.
    But just so u know u can take a tablet to get your Vit D.

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    Mute Lynda Strange
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    Jul 25th 2012, 1:18 PM

    Living in Australia a few years and knowing the dangers of sun and sunbeds! I use fake tan..
    Having recently being in the hospital the nurses wer paying compliments to I tan, and thinking I was being safe using fake tan instead of baking in the sun I told them it was fake,,
    they then gave me a lecture of using fake tan as it also causes cancer as the chemicals are also bad for you!! 
    I give up altogether I tell ya!!!

    25
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    Mute Mark Larson
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    Jul 25th 2012, 2:47 PM

    The sun is even more dangerous over Australia because of the hole in the ozone in the southern hemisphere

    19
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    Mute Anthony O'Brien
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    Jul 25th 2012, 1:45 PM

    Two lady friends I know have holidayed together for many years. One uses sunbeds and is a sun worshiper , the other either covers up or wears sunblock. The difference in skin condition between the two very obvious…………. in favour of the “white one”.

    24
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    Mute Aidan
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    Jul 25th 2012, 12:42 PM

    How many use singers in the whole of Europe? Bet this figure is insignificant.

    15
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    Mute Aidan
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    Jul 25th 2012, 12:42 PM

    Stupid iPhone singers = sunbeds

    18
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    Mute True Blue
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    Jul 25th 2012, 1:03 PM

    More people than this win millions in the lottery every year so the odds of dying aren’t that bad at all.

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    Mute Martin Mac
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    Jul 25th 2012, 3:45 PM

    Alcohol & smokes….but people want sunbeds banned….HAHAHAHAHAHA

    13
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    Mute Mark Larson
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    Jul 25th 2012, 3:03 PM

    The sun cream is needed in London today it is Hot 31 C.

    12
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    Mute Jenna Maroney
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    Jul 25th 2012, 2:30 PM

    Correct away Sean. I’ll correct myself. I will not be crying to anyone = I will not be blaming anyone but myself.
    It is indeed for vanity, I think that was obvious from the rest of my comments.
    And skin cancer is the most curable form of cancer. And my family are not responsible for my actions just as I’m not for theirs.
    There are worst things I could be doing. There are worse things I regularly do!
    The chances are slim and I think there are myriad more genuine threats that could be focussed on rather than the actions of a few vanity obsessed fools like myself.

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    Mute Bryan
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    Jul 25th 2012, 2:38 PM

    Wow immaturity in action!

    25
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    Mute Mark Larson
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    Jul 25th 2012, 3:05 PM

    Jenna you may just regret those words in 20 years. I hope not.

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    Mute mcbab
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    Jul 25th 2012, 4:12 PM

    Check your facts Jenna malignant melanoma is one of the most deadly cancers. There are several types of skin cancer. do yourself a big favour and take a half hour of your time and sit down and google skin cancer.

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    Mute Peter
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    Jul 25th 2012, 3:48 PM

    More people die from drowning, why don’t they fill in all the rivers and lakes with concrete! Idiots

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    Mute Zoltar
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    Jul 25th 2012, 12:54 PM
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    Mute Stephen Ramsey
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    Jul 26th 2012, 9:54 AM

    Can’t honestly say I’ve ever found tanning atractive. If it’s fake it often looks so and if it’s not it soon begins to leave skin tougher, more leathery. I honestly don’t see the appeal of leathery/caked women who have more vanity than sense.

    2
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