Cancer Council Queensland has welcomed the release of a new review by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) that shows solarium use causes cancer.

The review states that both UVB and UVA radiation, which are commonly emitted from solariums, causes all types of skin cancer, including the deadliest type, melanoma.

SunSmart Co-ordinator for Cancer Council Queensland, Lisa Naumann, said the new IARC review should prompt the Queensland Government to further regulate the solarium industry.

“The IARC review confirms that solarium use increases the risk of developing skin cancer,” she said.

“More specifically, it also shows that using a solarium before 30 years of age increases the risk of developing melanoma by 75 per cent.”

Cancer Council Queensland is urging the government to fully implement the voluntary national standards for the solarium industry, released earlier this year by Standards Australia.

“The government has a responsibility to legislate the standard to protect at risk Queenslanders,” Ms Naumann said.

“Following last year’s introduction of laws banning solarium use by minors, we also recommend the implementation of the full standard, including banning people with skin type 1 from using solariums.

“Further regulation of the solarium industry will help inform Queenslanders of the increased risk of skin cancer associated with using solariums.”

Queensland has amongst the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world. Approximately 133,000 Queenslanders are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer each year, and more than 2,400 Queenslanders are diagnosed with melanoma.

Cancer Council Queensland is an independent, community-based charity. The achievements of Cancer Council Queensland are made possible by the generosity of Queenslanders.

Note: Skin type 1 refers to skin that always burns and never tans.