Prevalence of sunbed use, and characteristics and knowledge of sunbed users: Results from the French population-based Edifice Melanoma survey

Background In addition to natural sunlight, indoor tanning has emerged as a common source of ultraviolet (UV) radiation associated with an increased risk of melanoma. It is classified as a class I human carcinogen by the World Health Organization. Objectives This analysis presents data on the prevalence of sunbed use in France, on factors associated with sunbed use, and on risk factors, attitude and awareness of risk among sunbed users and non-users. Methods Edifice Melanoma, a nationwide observational survey, was conducted in France via telephone interviews among a representative sample of 1502 subjects aged ≥18 years, using the quota method. Sunbed users were defined as individuals who reported having used a sunbed at least once in their lifetime. Logistical regressions were conducted in order to identify which factors differentiate the population of sunbed users from that of non-users. Results One in ten respondents was a sunbed user and three out of four declared having used tanning facilities for over one year. In multivariate analysis, factors significantly associated with the sunbed-user group were female gender (OR = 3.897 [2.573-5.903], P < 0.001), a higher socio-professional category (OR = 2.227 [1.542-3.217]; P < 0.001), fair hair (OR = 1.583 [1.025-2.447], P = 0.039), fair skin (OR = 1.879 [1.086-3.253]; P = 0.024), freckles (OR = 1.570 [1.071-2.302]; P = 0.021) and a history of smoking (OR = 2.383 [1.633-3.476]; P < 0.001). In a second multivariate model, the fact of having a large number of melanoma risk factors was strongly associated with sunbed use (P = 0.001). Sunbed users were more likely to be informed of the role of sun exposure in reducing the skin's regenerative capacity (OR = 2.181 [1.319-3.607]; P = 0.002) but were nevertheless more likely to consider that a tan makes a person look more attractive (OR = 2.309 [1.312-4.064]; P = 0.004) and protects the skin (OR = 2.490 [1.532-4.046]; P < 0.001); they were also more frequently exposed to natural sunlight (OR = 2.214 [1.196-4.102]; P = 0.011). Conclusions Compared to non-users, sunbed users cumulate risk factors for melanoma. Knowledge, attitudes and intentions of individuals are critical targets for public education programmes. However, awareness campaigns focusing on sunbed use, and more generally on skin cancer, should also take social and cultural norms into account.