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Lily Murphy, a 30-year-old from Watford, is raising alarm about the dangers of sunbeds after being diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma Despite using sunbeds fewer than ten times in her life, Lily now urges a nationwide ban on their use in the UK, stating that the health risks far outweigh any cosmetic benefits.

Early Signs Ignored

Lily’s journey began when she was 23 years old. After returning from a vacation in Vietnam and Bali, where she had used sunbeds to get a “base tan,” doctors diagnosed her with stage 1B skin cancer. She had used sunbeds only briefly less than an hour in total but it was enough to cause damage.
“It was just a few minutes here and there,” Lily recalled. “I never imagined it could lead to cancer.”
Following surgery to remove a mole, she received the all-clear. Believing she had beaten the disease, she resumed her normal life, traveling and enjoying time with friends and family.

Misdiagnosed Symptoms Lead to a Shocking Discovery

In early 2023, Lily began to experience fatigue, chest pain, and back pain after a family trip. She visited doctors, but her symptoms were dismissed as anxiety, a condition she had dealt with before.
“I knew something felt wrong, but because of my anxiety history, it felt like I wasn’t being taken seriously,” she said.
Thanks to her mother who works at Watford General Hospital, Lily got referred to another department. Further testing revealed the devastating news: the melanoma had returned and had spread to her lungs and neck. It was now stage 4.

How Did This Happen?

Although Lily had been receiving regular follow-ups, her cancer had progressed in a way that evaded standard scans. In rare cases like hers, melanoma cells can travel through the bloodstream and go undetected until they spread significantly.

Struggling Through Aggressive Treatments

Lily began immunotherapy in April 2023, a treatment designed to boost the immune system to fight cancer. However, her body reacted poorly. She couldn’t tolerate the full dose, and each round cost the NHS around £15,000. Oral chemotherapy led to a severe allergic reaction, which resulted in a full-body rash, sepsis, and hospitalization.

In early 2025, she started a new treatment that has shown positive results even at a reduced dose. For now, she’s on a short break to allow her body to recover.

Turning Pain into Purpose

Despite her ongoing battle, Lily has returned to work part-time at Watford General’s dermatology department, helping schedule skin cancer biopsies. While the job can be emotionally difficult, she finds meaning in helping others navigate the fear and uncertainty she knows all too well.
“I see so many young people coming in with suspicious skin changes and many of them have used sunbeds,” she said.

Petition for a UK-Wide Sunbed Ban

Motivated by her experience and what she sees at work, Lily launched a petition in May 2025 to ban sunbeds across the UK. Countries like Brazil and Australia have already taken this step. Her petition has already gained more than 700 signatures within weeks.
“Even a six-minute sunbed session can put your life at risk,” she warned. “If I can stop just one person from using them, that’s enough for me.”

Conclusion

Lily believes that young people are being misled by social media and influencers who promote tanned skin as a beauty standard without highlighting the risks. She stresses the need for stronger public education on sun safety and healthier alternatives like self-tanning products and spray tans.
“Your tan fades but the impact of skin cancer can be lifelong,” she said.

Looking back, Lily regrets not being more cautious. Although she used sunscreen during holidays, she now applies it more frequently and consistently.
“I have fair skin and used to burn easily even with sun cream,” she said. “Now I don’t take any chances.”

Melanoma can affect anyone even those with minimal sunbed exposure. Early detection and prevention are key. Avoid unnecessary UV exposure, stay alert to changes in your skin, and always speak up if you feel something is wrong with your health.

Source: Inputs from various media Sources

I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.