How sunbathing is more dangerous than driving: Skin cancer kills thousands more people than car accidents each year, study finds

  • In 2012 there were 25% more deaths from skin cancers than accidents
  • More women are dying from skin cancer than men, with experts blaming sun bed use, which are as hot as the midday Mediterranean sun
  • An indoor tanning session raises the risk of skin cancer by up to 67% 

By Madlen Davies for MailOnline

Published: 08:36 EST, 9 July 2015 | Updated: 09:00 EST, 9 July 2015

Sunbathing is more dangerous than driving a car, a new study has warned.

Figures reveal more people are dying from skin cancer every year than lose their lives in traffic accidents.

And more women are dying from the disease than men, the statistics show.

Experts blame the rise on women using tanning beds, which studies have shown are hotter than the midday Mediterranean sun.

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Sunbathing is more dangerous than driving a car, according to new research. There were 25 per cent more deaths from skin cancers than road accidents in 2012, the latest year figures are available (file photo)

Sunbathing is more dangerous than driving a car, according to new research. There were 25 per cent more deaths from skin cancers than road accidents in 2012, the latest year figures are available (file photo)

COMPARATIVE RISK OF UV-EXPOSURE COMPARED TO ROAD ACCIDENTS 
COUNTRY ANNUAL ROAD TRAFFIC DEATHS (latest year) ANNUAL SKIN CANCER DEATHS (latest year)REGISTRATION OF ALL SKIN CANCER DEATHS  LIKELIHOOD OF DYING OF SKIN CANCER COMPARED WITH TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS
Australia  1,192 (2013)2,036 (2012)yes +71% 
Austria  455 (2013)356 (2011)*no -12% 
Canada 2,077 (2012)1,019 (2009)*no - 51%
France  3,250 (2013)1,831 (2012)* no - 14%
Germany  3,339 (2013)3,563 (2012)yes  +7%
Ireland 162 (2012)227 (2011)yes +40%
New Zealand  290 (2014) 324 (2010)* no +12%
Portugal  937 (2010) 264 (2012)* no -72%
Spain  1,128 (2013) 1,526 (2010) yes +35%
Switzerland  269 (2013) 302 (average from 2007 - 2011)* no +12%
UK  1,713 (2013) 2,148 (2012)* no +25%
USA  33, 561 (2012) 12, 650 (2013) no -62%
Sources:
*numbers marked (*) exclude non-melanoma skin cancers (basal and squamous cell carcinoma)
Annual road traffic accidents for UK: Gov.uk 
Annual skin cancer deaths: Cancer Research UK 

Dr Walayat Hussain, consultant dermatologist and head of skin cancer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: 'As a skin cancer specialist, the biggest worry is that the rates of skin cancer are on the increase and the largest contributor to this is UV exposure.

'One of the greatest risk factors for those under the age of 35 for developing the most serious type of skin cancer, melanoma, is exposure to these rays from UV tanning devices (sunbeds).

'People are now certainly more aware of the dangers but the difficulty is that young people often think that they are 'bullet proof' when it comes to getting a tan.

'However this mindset can have disastrous effects later in life.'

There were 25 per cent more deaths from skin cancers than road accidents in 2012, the latest year for which figures are available.

In the UK there are 2,148 annual skin cancer deaths from melanomas, skin cancers that can spread to other organs in the body.

This is compared to the 1,713 people who died in road traffic deaths in 2012.

An estimated 86 per cent of skin cancer cases are caused by exposure to ultra violet radiation, according to Cancer Research UK research. 

One indoor tanning session can increase a person's risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma, abnormal growth of cells in squamous cells, which are in the the upper layers of skin, by 67 per cent.

And it can increase their risk of developing basal cell carcinoma, growths in the skin's basal cells, which line the deepest layer of the epidermis, 29 per cent. 

The research was carried out by spray tan company AURA. 

More women are affected by skin cancer than men, with experts blaming the use of sunbeds (file photo)

More women are affected by skin cancer than men, with experts blaming the use of sunbeds (file photo)

HOW TO SPOT SKIN CANCER 

The most common sign of skin cancer is a change to a mole, freckle or normal patch of skin.

It’s important to get to know your skin and what it looks like normally, so that you notice any unusual or persistent changes. 

Use a mirror or ask your partner or a friend to check areas of your skin that you can’t see. 

When checking skin for changes to moles, freckles or skin patches, look out for:

The most common sign of skin cancer is a change to a mole, freckle or normal patch of skin, doctors warn

The most common sign of skin cancer is a change to a mole, freckle or normal patch of skin, doctors warn

Symmetry: the two sides don't look the same.

Border: irregular border - edges may be blurred or jagged.

Colour: uneven colour, with more than one shade.

Size: large size - usually at least the size of the end of a pencil.

A melanoma can grow anywhere on the body but for women melanomas are most often found on the legs and for men on the back and chest.

It’s important to be aware that there are other signs of skin cancer too. 

These include:

  • A new growth or sore that doesn’t heal
  • A spot, mole or sore that itches or hurts
  • A mole or growth that bleeds, crusts or scabs

Don’t try to diagnose yourself – if you notice any unusual or persistent changes to your skin it could be a sign of skin cancer, so go and see your doctor. 

It’s probably nothing serious, but if it is skin cancer, finding it early makes it easier to treat.

Source: NHS Choices

 

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