ABC NEWS
Solarium users '98pc more likely' to get skin cancer Queensland researchers say people under the age of 35 who use solariums are 98 per cent more likely to develop skin cancer.
Doctor Louisa Gordon, from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR), estimates that up to 62 new cases of melanoma diagnosed in Australia each year can be attributed to solarium use.
Doctor Gordon says she is concerned the tanning industry is rapidly expanding.
"More and more people are going to solariums and are unaware of the health risks so we want to indicate these are dangerous," she said.
"When a person uses a solarium they are increasing their risk of melanoma and other skin cancers and other health effects."
Also, people who have only ever used a solarium once have a 22 per cent increased risk of developing skin cancer.
Dr Gordon says young people should be banned from using solariums.
"The Government needs to intervene in the solarium industry to minimise those harmful effects and to monitor solarium practices," she said.
"Ideally that would be through enforcing the current regulations, which would prohibit people under 18-years-old and those with fair skin."
Queensland Health Minister Stephen Robertson is due to report to Cabinet early this year on options for regulating solarium use and cosmetic surgery for minors.
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