- COMARE 13th Report: The health effects and risks arising from exposure to ultraviolet radiation from artificial tanning devices
- COMARE 12th Report: The impact of personally initiated X-ray computed tomography scanning for the health assessment of asymptomatic individuals
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COMARE 13th Report: The health effects and risks arising from exposure to ultraviolet radiation from artificial tanning devices
Skin cancer is now the most common form of cancer in the UK, with over 10,400 malignant melanoma cases and at least 81,500 non-melanoma skin cancers recorded in 2006. Intermittent high dose rate UV radiation exposure is associated with increased risk of melanoma at all ages of life. The association of skin cancer with exposure to the sun has been the subject of a number of campaigns but only recently has similar attention been given to sunbed use. The number of commercial sunbed outlets in the UK is growing. There is evidence of increasing sunbed use by children and young adults in the UK in both supervised and unstaffed (coin operated) commercial outlets. COMARE has reviewed evidence from a wide range of sources on the health effects and the risks associated with exposure to UV radiation from artificial tanning devices, such as sunbeds. Exposure to UV radiation, whatever the source, is capable of inducing all types of skin cancer, photoageing and other types of medical conditions, such as cataracts. It can also produce severe burns. Current sunbed technology can result in exposure to UV radiation doses greater than that from the midday Mediterranean sun. The health risks associated with sunbed use far outweigh the perceived benefits, the majority of which are psychological and cosmetic. The use of sunbeds is not associated with added protection from sun exposure and the practice of using sunbeds to synthesise vitamin D is not recommended due to the cancer risk and high frequency of side effects.
COMARE 12th Report: The impact of personally initiated X-ray computed tomography scanning for the health assessment of asymptomatic individuals
Scanning of the asymptomatic individual by using a computed tomography (CT) X-ray machine is a practice that has implications for public health, despite the fact that CT scanning of the asymptomatic individual may provide benefits to that person. The committee has reviewed the literature regarding both the benefit and detriment associated with CT scanning in the health assessment of asymptomatic individuals. We have considered the detriment caused by radiation from the CT scan but also the subsequent psychological effects and potential physical detriment from further investigations. Furthermore, we have considered the economic implications for the NHS which may become liable for further tests and examinations. While reviewing this type of practice, alternative techniques using lower doses of ionising radiation or non-ionising radiation have been considered.
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