Irish Cancer Society express concern over Irish children and sunbed use

According to recent research, Irish children, as young as 12-years-old, are using sunbeds.

While the use of sunbeds by anyone under the age of 18 was outlawed in Ireland in 2014, this does not however stop an adult from privately renting a sunbed and allowing an underage person to avail of it.

The research, which was carried out on over 700 secondary school students across the country, indicates a very worrying trend among Ireland's youngsters.

The study of skin cancer avoidance, which is the largest one to have been conducted among the 14-18 age demographic, suggest Irish teens' desire for tanned skin far outweighs any health concerns they may harbour regarding the use of sunbeds.

According to the findings, the youngest age reported to have availed of sunbed facilities was seven-years-old while the average was 16.2 years.

Responses indicate that 20% of those involved in the research have used sunbeds more than 25 times in the past year and further to this, it was established that 20% of respondents admitted to spending more than 10 minutes per session.

While 72% of those surveyed acknowledge the health risks involved with the activity, a startling number insist a tan makes you looks healthier and more attractive - an assumption which can have a detrimental effect on the individual's health.

Commenting on the findings, co-author of the study, Miriam Fitzgerald, said: "Studies have shown that first use of a sunbed when aged under 35 years increases the risk of later developing melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) by 75%."

With a mere 20 minutes on a sunbed equating to a whopping four hours in the sun, the Irish Cancer Society are understandably gravely concerned by the recent findings.

Commenting on the startling figures, cancer prevention officer with the Irish Cancer Society, Rosemary Scott said: "The findings are a real worry and the ICS is very concerned. We’ll keep an eye on this, but if the trends continue we’ll be calling for a blanket ban on sunbeds. As far as the ICS is concerned there is no safe limit for use of sunbeds – they cause melanoma."

The study, which was conducted by researchers from the Mater, Sligo Regional and Cork University Hospitals, was presented at the British Association of Dermatologists annual conference in Manchester last week.