Starting off your tan on a sunbed before going on holidays significantly increases the risk of skin cancer, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has warned.
A national survey of 1,200 people, conducted for the ICS in May, revealed 9 per cent of Irish people are regular users of sunbeds or ultraviolet tanning lamps. A total of 60 per cent of all sunbed users said they use them to get a pre-holiday "base tan".
However, the ICS warns such a practice is highly dangerous. All tanned skin, whether by natural light or by UV radiation, is damaged skin, the ICS says.
Dr Gillian Murphy, consultant dermatologist at Beaumont Hospital said the public perception is that sunbeds, which produce a tan through UVA radiation, are safe.
"Now we know that UVA radiation penetrates deep into the skin damaging the supporting framework of the skin . . . and accelerates all of the effects of photo ageing such as wrinkling, sagging, freckling, blotchy pigment changes and broken blood vessels," she said.
"Most importantly, exposure to UVA has the potential to cause skin cancer. Medical advice is to avoid the use of sun beds for cosmetic reasons at all times".
The survey also found almost three-quarters of Irish people knew that the sun was the main cause of skin cancer but only one-quarter felt a sunny day in Ireland posed a strong risk. In comparison, almost three-quarters said a sunny day in the Mediterranean posed a strong risk.
The ICS warns, however, that the Irish sun can cause just as much damage as that in the Mediterranean.
Skin cancer is by far the most common form of cancer in Ireland, with the National Cancer Registry reporting around 5,500 cases per year, of which nearly 400 are malignant melanomas, which are the most dangerous form of skin cancer.
The Irish Cancer Society has made the following recommendations to protect against the sun's harmful effects:
- Avoid being in the sun when it is at its strongest - between 11.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m.;
- Wear t-shirts (with sleeves and high collars) and long shorts made from closely woven fabric;
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your ears, nose and back of the neck;
- Apply a high-protection sunscreen (at least SPF 15), 20 minutes before going outside and reapply at least every two hours - more often if swimming or perspiring;
- Wear wraparound sunglasses to protect your eyes;
- Try to keep young babies out of the sun as much as possible.
Anyone concerned about skin cancer or cancer in general can contact the Irish Cancer Society's Helpline on Freefone 1800-200700 (weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or visit www.cancer.ie