Young Woman Dies of Skin Cancer After Decade of Sunbed Use
A 30-year-old woman who started using sunbeds at 15 to compete with friends for the best tan has died of melanoma, prompting renewed calls for stricter regulations on tanning salons.
Chelsea Tantum, from Manchester, was diagnosed with melanoma at the age of 28. By the time of her diagnosis, the cancer had advanced and spread to her spine, ribs, pelvis, lungs, and liver. Weeks before her 30th birthday, she learned the cancer had also spread to her brain.
Before her death on September 30, Tantum dedicated her final years to raising awareness about the dangers of sunbeds and advocating for tougher restrictions on their use. She had previously shared that she began using tanning beds at 15, admitting she and her friends would compete for the darkest tan. She stated that she was never asked for identification at tanning salons despite being underage.
Her cancer was initially diagnosed as stage 3C melanoma. Following her diagnosis, Tantum became a vocal campaigner for stricter sunbed regulations, calling for mandatory identification checks to prevent under-18s from accessing tanning beds. She also raised over £4,000 for the charity Melanoma Focus, which supports those affected by the disease and campaigns for awareness and prevention.
Friends and family paid tribute to Tantum's resilience and her efforts to help others while battling her own illness. Lee Craven, a family member, noted her continuous fight and her use of personal experience to raise awareness. Close friend Claire Louise described Tantum as "strong, beautiful, funny, determined and completely unforgettable," highlighting her strength and dignity in the face of adversity.
Tantum's funeral was scheduled for October 23. In May, the UK government announced plans to introduce compulsory ID checks at tanning salons in England and enhance supervision of sunbed use. These proposals followed concerns that children were still accessing sunbeds despite an existing ban for under-18s. The consultation for these new rules closed in August, with a decision pending. The new regulations could be implemented as early as 2027.
Health officials have consistently warned that sunbeds expose users to dangerous ultraviolet radiation, significantly increasing the risk of skin cancer. The World Health Organization states that using a sunbed before the age of 20 increases the risk of melanoma by 47% compared to never using one.