To the Editor: In recent years, solaria have multiplied across Australia. Solaria can emit higher concentrations of ultraviolet radiation than the midday summer sun.1 As exposure to ultraviolet radiation is a risk factor for skin cancer, including melanoma,2 it is not surprising that there is mounting evidence that solarium use increases melanoma risk.1,3-4

Public attention to this issue increased following coverage of Clare Oliver’s story in August 2007.5 Clare was dying from melanoma, which she attributed to her use of solaria. In the last weeks before her death, Clare publicly warned of the dangers of solaria. She featured in a television advertisement promoting the message “No tan is worth dying for”, launched nationally in February 2008.

There is evidence that public awareness of the cancer risk of solaria increased after this media coverage. We surveyed adult Western Australians in September 2006, and again in 2007, about their perceptions of cancer risk factors. The survey was conducted by computer-assisted telephone interviewing using random-digit dialling from the Perth White Pages (2006, n = 196; 2007, n = 250). Ethical approval was granted by the Curtin University of Technology Human Research Ethics Committee.

Participants were read a list of 16 factors (including solaria) and asked how each factor affected cancer risk (response categories: increase a lot; increase a little; decrease a little; decrease a lot; no effect). While risk perceptions for the other 15 factors remained constant, there was a substantial increase in the proportion of “increase a lot” responses for solaria (40% in 2006 v 72% in 2007; P = 0.001). Total “increase” responses were 71% in 2006 and 92% in 2007 (P < 0.001).

In addition, Clare’s advocacy may have been a factor in increased regulation of the solarium industry. Until recently, the Australian solarium industry was unregulated, but operated under a voluntary code of practice. There is evidence that compliance with this code was lacking.6 The Australian Government has explored making the code of practice mandatory. As of 1 February 2008, the Victorian Government enacted regulations to tighten the control of solaria under the Radiation Act 2005 (Vic). Similar regulations were introduced in South Australia on 14 March 2008 and in Western Australia on 4 April 2008.

There have been no campaigns about the dangers of solarium use in the general population, so it is very likely that this increase is due to the media coverage of Clare’s story. This and responses to other individuals’ personal stories7 provide evidence of how such stories can increase the community’s awareness of a health issue and gain support for legislative change.