Beth Brown, a 30-year-old flight attendant from Weymouth, Dorset, initially dismissed a red patch on her face as eczema. However, after it continued to grow, she sought medical advice and was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common form of skin cancer.
Diagnosis and Regret
Brown admitted feeling "freaked out and also really stupid" upon learning the true nature of the patch. She had been using sun beds for up to 20 minutes at a time since age 22 and never wore sunscreen. "I was very naive, I thought it would never happen to me. I definitely regret using sun beds now," she said.
Sun Bed Habits and Skin Damage
Brown began using sun beds in 2018, starting at six minutes and building up to 20-minute sessions. She used them twice a month or weekly. "It scares me now, but it was just the norm. On social media, being tanned is portrayed as being cool, but it’s quite sad really, as actually you are damaging your skin," she explained.
Delayed Treatment and Family Impact
After diagnosis, Brown faced a six-month wait for surgery. Her mother also sought a check-up and was diagnosed with BCC. On May 17, 2026, Brown had the tumour removed, opting to leave the wound open rather than have a skin graft. The healing process was intense: she took a month off work and attended weekly hospital appointments for wound redressing.
Raising Awareness
Brown now wears SPF 50 daily and avoids sun beds. She urges others to protect their skin: "I don’t think girls realise you can still get a tan while wearing sun cream. It just protects your skin." She emphasises sitting in the shade, wearing sunscreen, and wearing hats to prevent skin damage.
