CHARLES GRAHAM: Deadly dangers of sunbed addiction

It’s been a tough few weeks for my family, both close and extended, after two members received test results which were the reverse of what they hoped for.
Anthea Smith paid a heavy price for regularly tanningAnthea Smith paid a heavy price for regularly tanning
Anthea Smith paid a heavy price for regularly tanning

Both require surgery and it is possible – but not provable – that lifestyle choices rather than sheer bad luck were responsible.

I’ve spilt plenty of ink over the years, proselytizing about the dangers of smoking (which did for my dad), and also the dangers of drugs and excessive alcohol.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But in these family cases, none of the above is a suspected contributory factor. However, in one instance the finger does point towards an issue that has been topical in Wigan this week: sun beds.

This relative admits to having been a regular visitor to tanning salons in the past and it is this practice on which doctors are now blaming on the skin cancer which has now spread to lymph nodes.

Only on Saturday did we feature Anthea Smith (pictured) from Winstanley whose life was turned upside down by the diagnosis of a malignant melanoma growing in her left ear and for which – once again – a habit of lying under ultra-violet light was identified as the likeliest cause.

Anthea had to have her ear amputated and she now also suffers from tinnitus as well as partial deafness. She has no senses of taste or touch on her left-hand side and has mild facial palsy, so struggles to pronounce some words. Her balance is poor and she feels overwhelmed by sounds in a loud environment.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The mum of two bravely describes these medical issues as a “small price to pay” for still being alive and is a now a committed advocate for the banning of sun beds.

Having never really had any urges to turn my skin a different colour, by natural or artificial means, the reasons a lot of people clearly want to do so is rather lost on me. We do need sunlight to generate vitamin D and I guess there is an attraction in a face having a honey glow rather than be pasty white, but the former in itself is not an indicator of good health.

With global warming, we Brits have also to be increasingly wary of overdosing on the solar rays – if the summer affords us any more after the dire weather we’ve had for the last week.

So make sure you have sun screen at the ready if you are determined to sit out under a blazing skies.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As far as tanning salons are concerned, they are currently closed.

If Anthea had her way, they would stay closed.

Unless laws greatly curtail the cumulative usage of sun beds, I’m minded to agree with her.

A message from the Editorial Director, Gillian Parkinson:

Thank you for reading this story on our website.

But I also have an urgent plea to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality local news on this free-to-read site and in print, please purchase a copy of our newspaper as well.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on our town centres and many of our valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you buying a copy when you pop out for your essential shop or subscribing for delivery.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Our journalists are highly trained by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards anywhere in the world. Our content is universally trusted - as all independent research proves.

As Baroness Barran said in a House of Lords debate this week on the importance of journalists: "Not only are they a trusted source of facts, but they will have a role to play in rallying communities and getting the message across about how we can keep ourselves and our families safe, and protect our NHS. Undoubtedly, they have a critical role."

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. In return we will continue to forensically cover the local news - not only the impact of the virus but all the positive and uplifting news happening in these dark days.

We thank all our readers and advertisers for their understanding and support - and we wish YOU all the best in the coming weeks. Keep safe, and follow the Government advice. Thank you.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE: You can subscribe for delivery by contacting us at [email protected] or calling us on 0330 4033004 for details of a participating newsagent near you.