Belfast mum, 24, diagnosed with skin cancer after using sunbeds before holidays

A Belfast mum has spoken about her skin cancer diagnosis, after she used sunbeds before going on holiday.

Katie McVeigh, now 25 from Belfast, was diagnosed with melanoma in 2022. New data released by the charity Melanoma Focus has found that over a third of those in Northern Ireland say they use sunbeds.

The research shows that sunbed use is alarmingly high across the UK but that Belfast is the ‘sunbed capital’ with 37% of adults in the city reporting using sunbeds.

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Speaking after the figures were released, Katie said she started to use sunbeds at the age of 16.

"I used them before going on holiday because I liked getting a 'base-tan' and it became a bit of a habit," Katie added.

"I was probably using them twice a week before I was diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer. I noticed a new mole on my face in 2022 so asked my GP about it, they referred me to a dermatologist and I ended up having it removed.

"I didn't think it was anything serious but a few weeks after the operation I was called in and told that I had melanoma. I don't remember much of the conversation but it was terrifying. I ended up having further surgery and then found out the cancer spread to my lymph nodes and I'm still having treatment now.

"It's been really hard and has caused me a lot of anxiety. I'm a single parent to a four year old and I'd do anything to survive for her.

"Tanning salons are everywhere in Belfast, it's quite scary when you think how dangerous they are."

Along with medical experts, Melanoma Focus has expressed serious concerns about the high usage of sunbeds and its impact on the rising number of skin cancer cases across the country. Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, kills 2,300 people in the UK per year.

The charity says over the last decade, melanoma skin cancer incidence rates have increased by around a third in the UK and it is estimated that, across the country, sunbeds cause about 440 melanomas and around 100 deaths each year. In Northern Ireland skin cancer rates have trebled in the last 25 years and there are now 390 new cases every year.

The new research found that public awareness of the dangers of sunbed use is low with only 62% of people in the UK (and 59% of those in Northern Ireland) knowing that sunbed use increases the risk of skin cancer. This dropped to 52% of 18-25 year olds, 23% of whom believe that sunbed use actually decreases the risk of skin cancer.

Visits to tanning salons are frequent for UK sunbed users with 74% saying they use sunbeds at least once per month, and 53% using them at least once per week. This was higher in Northern Ireland at 78% and 63% respectively.

Susanna Daniels, CEO of Melanoma Focus, said: "The proliferation of sunbed use across the UK is alarmingly high and it’s shocking that so many people don’t realise how dangerous they are.

"Melanoma skin cancer rates are rising in the UK and it’s an increasingly serious health concern. The good news is that 86% of melanomas are preventable by avoiding ultraviolet radiation, which comes from the sun or from sunbeds.

"We strongly advise against using sunbeds in order to protect your skin and reduce your chances of being diagnosed with melanoma or other skin cancers."

Professor Catherine Harwood, Consultant Dermatologist and Melanoma Focus Trustee said: "We know that sunbed use is a significant risk factor for developing melanoma.

"Sunbeds emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which damages the DNA of skin cells leading to genetic mutations and other changes that can cause the growth of cancerous cells.

"It’s very concerning that so many young people are regularly using sunbeds, unaware of the long-term consequences to their health. It is crucial that people understand the dangers of sunbed use and protect their skin from excessive UV radiation to reduce the risk of developing melanoma."

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