P130 Generational trends in sunbed use among patients with suspected skin cancer: a National Health Service dermatology study

Abstract In 2009, the World Health Organization classified sunbeds as high-risk carcinogens alongside tobacco and asbestos. Even minimal sunbed use increases the risk of melanoma by approximately 60%. The highest risks appear to be in patients with Fitzpatrick type I skin and those < 35 years old. The UK government has implemented regular skin cancer awareness campaigns since 1996. The aim of this study was to assess generational trends in sunbed use in patients presenting with suspected skin cancer. Data were collected from consecutive patients referred to our National Health Service dermatology department on the suspected skin cancer pathway and seen in a community lesion imaging clinic between February and May 2024. Demographic details were recorded and patients were asked whether they had ever used sunbeds, along with other risk factors for skin cancer. Fitzpatrick skin type was determined. Data were analysed according to age band (10-year intervals) and the χ2-test was used to assess differences in categorical variables between groups. In total, 1536 patients attended the lesion imaging clinic during the study period. Their median age was 70 years (interquartile range 59–79). Overall, 94.7% of patients were of white British or Irish ethnicity. Distribution of Fitzpatrick skin type was as follows: type I (205 of 1531, 13.4%), type II (678, 44.2%), type III (641, 41.8%), type IV (six, 0.4%) and type V (one, 0.1%). Seventy-two patients (4.7%) had a personal history of melanoma and 186 (12.1%) had a family history of melanoma in a first-degree relative. In total, 365 patients (23.8%) had lived in a sunny country. Overall, 336 patients (21.9%) had ever used a sunbed. Usage was 25.0% in patients age 11–20 years, 31.4% in age 21–30 years, 40.3% in age 31–40 years, 33.7% in age 41–50 years, 35.4% in age 51–60 years, 30.5% in age 61–70 years, 13.1% in age 71–80 years, 6.1% in age 81–90 years and 4.5% in age 90–100 years. There was no significant difference in sunbed usage across Fitzpatrick skin types (P = 0.75). These results show that a high proportion of adult patients up to the age of 70 years have used a sunbed, with almost identical usage in patients in their 20s compared with patients in their 60s. The data imply that public health campaigns have been ineffective in changing behaviour in the UK population over the last 30 years and would support more robust legislation or even an outright ban as has been implemented in countries like Brazil and Australia.