Step mums comment regarding tanning beds has upset me

I refuse to you use them because I have brains but no I cant get that upset about other people's choices on this, the less intelligent can fry their brain cells all they want although as usual the health system will have to waste resources picking up the pieces of course

Breaking news, cancer is possibly caused by many things we do or come into contact with every day and no one gets out of here alive. I'm sure she didn't mean it.

I Haven’t used them in over 18 years, I’m praying I got off lightly! I won’t touch them ever again, I’m very cautious of the sun too.

I was a die-hard sunbed user in 2000-2005(ish) before I reallyyy knew the risks. Now, I’m scared shitless of them, even the sun actually. I worry that I have caused damage that’s waiting to present itself. I live in hope that I got off lightly🙏🏼

This report. If people have ever used sunbeds the risk it increases risk of 20%. Regular use increases that considerably It much even worse for people who start young. The radiation can damage the DNA in the cells.

Cutaneous melanoma attributable to sunbed use: systematic review and meta-analysis | The BMJ

The risks have been well known for many years - oddly the popularity seems to be increasing again.

for a while I went to a gym and the instructors were all in their 20s and the clients were mostly middle aged women like me. The difference in attitudes towards tanning beds was huge- the young people really seemed to not see the problem with them whereas we were all aghast at the idea. I can’t u see tans the ignorance around them in the younger generation.

Where did you read this?

Just one use of a sunbed increases your risk of skin cancer by 20% and it might not show the evidence for 10 years.

Crazy the risk people take for vanity.

Overview

The NHS and cancer organizations, including the British Association of Dermatologists, state that there is no safe way to use sunbeds. Sunbeds emit concentrated UV radiation that can be more dangerous than natural sunlight, drastically increasing your risk of melanoma (skin cancer), premature aging, sunburn, and eye damage. 1, 2, 3]
The key risks and guidelines regarding sunbeds include:
Cancer Risk: Using a sunbed before the age of 35 increases your chance of melanoma by 75%. They are recognized as a leading, preventable cause of skin cancer in the UK. 1]
No Health Benefits: Sunbeds should not be used to boost Vitamin D. The safest way to get Vitamin D is through diet or supplements. 1]

It’s such a simple risk to avoid …

It isn’t ..there was just an appeal in the last few weeks from the NHS I think to stop using them

You are understandably upset. They are being willfully stupid. Honestly, nothing is “worth” cancer. BUT, having given your opinion, you need to let it go. They will not change.

I voted you’re not being unreasonable as someone who has recently had a BCC cut out after using sunbeds. The consultant said the sun bed was the likely cause. So, I definitely wouldn’t use them again.
But, you have to let people do what they want to do!

Whilst I understand it and I am absolutely against sun beds you can’t control peoples thoughts on them 🤷🏼‍♀️ it’s up to your step mum if she wants to do them

The thing is, I could understand your upset if you’d expressed specific concerns, set out the implications for them and for you and they’d rejected and dismissed those. But you didn’t even bother to have the conversation.

Well they are going to look like old leather handbags if they carry on like that and increase their risk of skin cancers .
I have never in my life used a sun bed , I don’t sunbathe ever , and was horrified to overhear some of the young hairdressers in the salon I go to say they went on sunbeds !
if you want a tan that much go and get a spray tan ( I don’t even do that )

Upset?

Its like being upset that someone is overweight or something

Nothing to do with you

Ive been thinking about using tanning beds for a while, just havent got round to it.

Yeah, it’s really none of your business. They’re grown adults.

If people think sunbeds should be banned as they cause skin cancer, do you also think cigarettes, alcohol and unhealthy food should be banned?

As someone with a diagnosis of malignant melanoma a few years ago, I’m appalled that people are still using sun beds. Having malignant parts of your skin cut out is fucking horrible.

If they’re hellbent on using sunbeds, perhaps you could encourage them to have an annual dermatology review so anything suspicious is caught early…

Was the comment ignorant? Sure, BUT she is a grown adult making choices that are not your business and she's allowed to say what she thinks.

So, you weren't BU in the sense that you are 'right', but YABU to be 'angry' about another person's choices.

Well they just don't think it will happen to them. Lots of people who tan don't get skin cancer. And plenty of people who avoid the sun and wear SPF do.

I'm not saying it's healthy. In fact it's not at all good as all the positives you get from actual sunlight are not present in artificial beds.

But to be upset that plenty of people tan while knowing the dangers seems like it won't really help.

People smoke, vape, eat badly and are non optimal weight. But they don't care because they feel like they're enjoying themselves.

There's little you can do to stop them except maybe they might if they do get sick from it.

People get addicted to tanning. They find it hard to give up even though they know the dangers. Like smokers.

I'd stay out of any discussions on the subject and if anyone else raises it, just say 'Well, it's up to you.' Don't rise to the bait.

Obviously lots of people think it's worth it, or they wouldn't be so popular.
People make bad choices and they don't really like being confronted with those bad choices. It doesn't sound like they were unpleasant at all, they just disagreed with you and step mum possibly felt a bit defensive after what you said.

I don't use tanning beds but I'm overweight, which I know is bad for my health. I probably drink more than is optimal too.

Hi op I don’t think it’s up to you I get you are concerned but lots of people get cancer without smoking, drinking etc. sometimes it’s just very bad luck. Kids get cancer all the time but they haven’t done anything to get it.

Using tanning beds doesn't guarantee skin cancer. Just as smoking doesn't guarantee lung cancer, obesity doesn't guarantee stomach cancer and heart problems etc. It just greatly heightens the risk. When your step mum says 'it's worth it' she means the risk is worth it, not cancer. Something we all do to an extent with anything we want to do that carries the possibility of harm.
As an older woman who probably used the beds and didn't practise safe sun before the risk was known, she probably also feels the horse has bolted. Which in fairness it probably has.