RESEARCH ROUNDUP

It has been well established that exposure to sun beds is a risk factor for skin cancer. Despite this, sunbeds are still commonly used throughout Europe. It is important to understand the determinants of sunbed use and to plan key educational interventions, behavioural strategies and legislative measures, which should be tailored to subgroups with different risk profiles.

According to this article, evidence shows that young adult women with intermediate skin type, current employment and a medium/high socio-economic status are the typical sunbed users in Europe. These young women also display sun-seeking behaviours and other risky behaviours such as smoking.

While Sun bed use appears to be more common in northern than Southern Europe, its use remains common in fair-skinned individuals and among adolescents/pre-adolescents.

The most commonly-reported reasons for sunbed use throughout Europe include aesthetic motives (e.g. to look more attractive), the pursuit of a pre-vacation tan, the influence of peers/parents engaging in the same habit, and the treatment of health conditions.