London, Nov 13: Over 2.5 lakh British teenagers are
at high risk of developing malignant skin cancer due to the
use of tanning beds, a new research claimed today.
According to a report published in British Medical
Journal (BMJ), "A quarter of a million children in England
aged 11 to 17 face a higher risk of developing melanoma -- the
most lethal form of skin cancer - by using tanning beds".
Researchers Catherine Thomson from Cancer Research, UK,
and Professor Chris Twelves from St James`s University
Hospital in Leeds also called for urgent legislation to stop
sunbed use by minors in England.
The risk of melanoma increases by 75 per cent when use
of tanning devices starts before the age of 30.
Current rates of use in England would lead to more than
an estimated 250,000 children being put at risk of developing
malignant melanoma, the authors said.
"National legislation to limit access to sunbed salons
to those over 18, and close down unsupervised or coin operated
salons, is required to stop more children being put at
unnecessary risk," they said.
Six per cent of English youngsters in the 11-to-17 age
bracket use sunbeds, according to recent studies. The average
age at which the practice starts is 14.
Bureau Report