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| Showing the hidden damage UV light can do shocked Britons |
A shocking new survey has revealed that most Britons are clueless when it comes to the safety around tanning.
The country faces a growing battle against skin cancer if Britons continue to ignore the deadly risks that tanning involves.
The country faces a growing battle against skin cancer if Britons continue to ignore the deadly risks that tanning involves.
SunSense UK recently completed a nationwide survey to raise awareness about the danger of tanning.
Some 70 per cent of those asked mistakenly believed that there is a safe way to achieve a natural tan.
Also, sixty per cent would still sunbathe despite the serious risk that ultraviolet (UV) light poses for skin cancer and premature ageing.
The 'Dying for a Tan' tour showed thousands of people across the country, using an UV camera, just how damaged their skin already was through intentional tanning.
SunSense revealed the dramatic pigmentation changes caused by sun damage that are hidden deep in the layers of skin and not visible to the naked eye.
After seeing the shocking results of hidden sun damage, 70 per cent changed their attitude toward tanning and a quarter said that they would now avoid unnecessary sun exposure.
SunSense is also warning people to be vigilant about any change in skin colour.
Some 70 per cent of those asked mistakenly believed that there is a safe way to achieve a natural tan.
Also, sixty per cent would still sunbathe despite the serious risk that ultraviolet (UV) light poses for skin cancer and premature ageing.
The 'Dying for a Tan' tour showed thousands of people across the country, using an UV camera, just how damaged their skin already was through intentional tanning.
SunSense revealed the dramatic pigmentation changes caused by sun damage that are hidden deep in the layers of skin and not visible to the naked eye.
After seeing the shocking results of hidden sun damage, 70 per cent changed their attitude toward tanning and a quarter said that they would now avoid unnecessary sun exposure.
SunSense is also warning people to be vigilant about any change in skin colour.
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| Britons are ignoring the deadly risks of tanning |
Melanie Williams, a 36-year-old mum-of-three, was regularly hitting the sunbeds and beaches in a bid to achieve a natural tan.
However, she was diagnosed with melanoma in July this year after a 'bruise' on her thumb turned out to be skin cancer.
Melanie underwent surgery to remove the top half of her thumb and will also be treated with radiotherapy.
She said: “I’ve come to terms with my diagnosis and now I want to direct my energy towards raising awareness of the dangers of tanning.
“I hope that by sharing my experience, it will help others to see that the risk of skin cancer is very real - it isn’t just something that happens to other people or in the future – it happened to me and it happened in my thirties."
Dr Kerryn Greive PhD, Scientific Affairs Manager for SunSense, said: “There is no such thing as a healthy tan, but having one makes us feel good.
"Unfortunately, exposure to UV radiation from the sun and other sources, including sun beds, is a major cause of skin cancer.
“Despite this, it is difficult to get people to understand how bad a tan can be.
"A lot of people don’t believe that the sun is strong enough in the UK to do any real damage and even if they do, they consider skin cancer as something that happens to other people, or something that may happen in the future.
"But it’s the tan we are getting today that may cause skin cancer.
“Australia may be known as the skin cancer capital of the world, but it is also the first country in the world to see a reduction in skin cancer rates.
"This follows 30 years of public health campaigns which shows that if you are consistent with the message, you will see the benefit to people’s health."
"Unfortunately, exposure to UV radiation from the sun and other sources, including sun beds, is a major cause of skin cancer.
“Despite this, it is difficult to get people to understand how bad a tan can be.
"A lot of people don’t believe that the sun is strong enough in the UK to do any real damage and even if they do, they consider skin cancer as something that happens to other people, or something that may happen in the future.
"But it’s the tan we are getting today that may cause skin cancer.
“Australia may be known as the skin cancer capital of the world, but it is also the first country in the world to see a reduction in skin cancer rates.
"This follows 30 years of public health campaigns which shows that if you are consistent with the message, you will see the benefit to people’s health."
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