The Association noted that it has been proven that sun beds increase the risk of skin cancer.


Osvaldo Correia, president of the APCC, told Lusa News Agency that “once and for all, people have to internalise that the solariums are inducers of skin cancers”.

“This year, more international studies have emerged, some in which Portugal participated, which prove the link between previous exposure to solariums and the increased risk of all skin cancers, Mr. Correia stressed.


The specialist was speaking on the eve of the presentation of Euromelanoma Day in Portugal, a ceremony that took place on Wednesday in Lisbon and in which the results of the screening of 2018 were presented.


Euromelanoma Day – or Skin Cancer Day – takes place on 15 May, when 44 dermatology services nationwide will screen over 1,600 people free of charge, particularly the population deemed at-risk: people who have suffered sunburn, have a history of skin cancer or work daily under sun exposure.


Osvaldo Correia recalls that the APCC, along with the General Directorate of Health, has been advocating the closure of tanning salons for several years and has contributed towards studies that show “there is an association between earlier exposure, even if sporadic, and the increased risk of skin cancers, whether malignant or not, such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, or melanoma, some in people of younger ages that are just coming out”.


“It’s unhealthy, it’s not good for anything and it favours the risk of cancer that may not occur today, but could occur tomorrow or in three, five or 10 years” the dermatologist said, explaining that the general consensus that being tanned is a healthy look, is incorrect.
Mr. Correia further stressed the importance of self-examination and changing habits.


According to the expert, a recent European study noticed that while more than 80 percent of people used sun protection on the beaches, fewer than 20 percent of people who work or practice sports daily in the sun use protection like clothing, hats and cream.


“Portugal, like other European countries, has a large percentage of the population that is well informed, but a lot still has to change with regards to habits. This needs to be internalised”, said the dermatologist, noting that estimates point to about 13,000 new cancer cases in 2019 in Portugal, more than 1,000 of which are melanoma.