Sunbed Tanning Kills 800 In Europe Every Year

Sunbed users run a 20-percent higher risk than non-users of developing skin cancer, according to a report that blamed some 800 melanoma deaths in Europe every year on indoor tanning.
About 3,400 of some 64,000 new cases of cutaneous melanoma diagnosed in 18 European countries every year are related to sunbed use–more than 5percent, said a statement issued by the BMJ medical journal.
The risk doubled if tanners started before the age of 35.
The findings were based on an analysis by researchers of 27 studies on skin cancer and sunbed use conducted between 1981 and 2012 in Britain, France, Germany and other countries.
They found a “1.8-percent increase in risk for each additional sunbed session per year”, said the statement.
“The authors believe that earlier studies have tended to underestimate the risk of indoor tanning because the use of these devices is relatively new.”
The study authors from the International Prevention Research Institute in France and the European Institute of Oncology in Italy urged tougher regulation and restriction on children’s access to tanning salons.