A MISS York finalist has revealed how years of tanning and sunbathing have led to her developing skin cancer at the age of 24.

Days before the competition reaches its climax, dental student Amy Hills has spoken out to alert other women to the dangers of getting that golden look.

She underwent surgery on her arm just hours before taking part in a boot camp challenge for Miss York finalists last week.

She said doctors hope they have intervened in time to prevent the cancer spreading, but told her she needs a check-up every three months for the next five years.

They have also said she should never go in a tanning salon again, and should wear suntan lotion with a Protection Factor of at least 30 if she goes sunbathing again.

Amy, from Hillfield Road, Selby, who is training to be a dentist, said she wanted to speak out to warn other young women of the risks posed by tanning and also sunbathing without the protection of suntan lotion.

“Like a lot of other young woman, I wanted to look good and so would go for a tan about once a week,” she said.

“And when I sunbathed, I wouldn’t normally use suntan lotion. I thought it would never happen to me.”

She also wanted to stress the vital importance of going to the doctor to get moles checked out if they changed in appearance She said she first noticed about six months ago there were changes to a mole on her arm, which she had since birth, but it was only when she happened to go to the doctors about another matter that she mentioned it to the GP.

“It was darker, raised and had a jagged edge,” she said.

“The doctor called in a colleague to have a look, and they said: ‘This needs to be removed as a matter of urgency.’ Within days, she was called in to her local hospital’s dermatology department, where the mole was removed and sent for testing. The result showing it was cancerous came back just before the boot camp. “I was in a state of shock,” she said.

She returned five days later for further surgery to remove skin and muscle tissue round where the mole had been, to ensure any cancerous tissue was removed.

“It’s left a dent on my arm which will always be there. They said to look at it as a badge of honour. They are very hopeful they have removed everything that is cancerous.

“But if I hadn’t been to the doctor about something else, I might have left it for months more, which could have allowed it to spread further.” She said doctors believed her tanning and sunbathing was probably to blame for her developing skin cancer, which was one of the fastest growing and most dangerous forms of cancer.

Amy, who used to work as a dental nurse in the Royal Navy, said she had decided to go ahead with the boot camp to give her something else to focus on.

She said she had been encouraged to enter Miss York because of the forces background of the current Miss England, Katrina Hodge, who was one of the judges at the boot camp.

• Tickets to the final, which starts at 5pm on Sunday at the Royal York Hotel, are still available priced at £20, which includes a glass of wine. You can pay by phoning 01162 440479 or emailing info@missengland. info marking your email MISS YORK


WHO advice on sunbeds

THE World Health Organisation said while it does not recommend the use of UV tanning devices for cosmetic purposes, it recognises sunbeds continue to be available to the public.

However, it says people should not use artificial tanning devices if they are less than 18 years old, have large numbers of moles, tend to freckle, have a history of frequent childhood sunburn, have pre-malignant or malignant skin lesions or are wearing cosmetics, which might enhance their sensitivity to Ultraviolet exposure.

“Overexposure to UV radiation from the sun and artificial sources is of considerable public health concern,” it said. “UV radiation plays an important role in the development of skin cancer, cataracts, and other eye conditions, and suppresses the immune system. Cumulative UV radiation also results in premature skin ageing.”

WHO says that if artificial tanning devices are used, UV radiation protective eyewear must be worn during tanning exposures. “Particular caution must be exercised with first time users to gauge the user’s skin response. If adverse reactions occur, further use should be discouraged. If you have any doubt, consult your doctor before undergoing any UV radiation exposure.”