Tanning beds are to blame for a “sharp increase” of skin cancer cases in Ireland, a leading doctor has warned

There are around 13,000 cases of skin cancer diagnosed every year in Ireland now – with 10% of those being more serious melanoma cancers.

Incidents of skin cancer have doubled in Ireland since the 90s and are expected to double again by the 2040s.

On The Pat Kenny Show today, Rose Clinic Medical Director Dr Shane Redmond said “It's certainly on the rise”.

“We’re more mobile than we’ve ever been and going on more sun holidays than we’ve ever been,” he said.

“But there is an elephant in the room, that these artificial sunbeds are becoming more prevalent, not only in this country but around the world.

“Since their introduction in the US in the 70s, and this country a little later on, there has been a sharp increase in instances of all types of cancer.

“UV radiation is UV radiation; it doesn’t matter where you get it from.”

A man using a tanning bed. Image: Shotshop GmbH / Alamy

Dr Redmond said UV rays from tanning beds are much more intense for the skin than natural sun.

“There’s a lot more UVA with artificial sunbeds, which is associated with skin cancer and more particularly with melanoma,” he said.

“They have shown in studies that some of these sunbeds give off up to 15 times the level of UV radiation than natural sunlight.

“A UK study done a few years back where they audited 400 sunbeds and 90% of them were up to six times higher than what is considered dangerous for UVA radiation.”

'Addictive'

Dr Redmond said research shows tanning beds can be “addictive” for people.

“There is an effect on the body where it gives off endorphins - that feel-good effect on the body,” he said.

“We’re also in the advent of social media where everyone is under increasing pressure to look their best, the best they can, and unfortunately, they’ve associated this glow and tanned skin as the picture of health and wellness.

“What people don’t realise is that tanned skin is essentially damaged skin – we need to factor that in and take it into account.”

Holiday's

Dr Redmond said there is also a trend of people going on tanning beds before a sun holiday.

“They say, ‘I’m going to build up a base tan that’s going to protect me from being burned going forward,’” he said.

“That does have a small effect but it’s only really equal to about a SPF of four, and we would typically be using SPF 30 or 50.

“Regardless, you’re just damaging your skin before you go out and do more damage in the sun.”

Tanning beds are currently legal in Ireland for anyone over the age of 16.

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Main image: A man on a tanning bed. Image: Panther Media GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo