A young tanning bed addict who spent five days a week under ultraviolet rays from the age of 16 wants to warn other followers who feel “invincible” like him, after suffering from a major skin cancer.
“I never knew how dangerous tanning beds are. I thought I was invincible as a teenager, said Jak Howell, 23, according to what reported The Independent. The first place I attended didn’t even have a receptionist. You just had to pay for the machine, like a parking meter.”
The young man from the Swansea region of South Wales started going to tanning salons at the age of 16 to follow his group of friends, he told the English media.
At the time, he could spend up to five days a week under ultraviolet rays, for a period of 18 minutes each time.
Her diagnosis came at the age of 21, after a bleeding mole was discovered on her skin. Result: he suffered from melanoma, a type of skin cancer caused by the sun.
Between May and September, he underwent two radiotherapy treatments, without success. But during that time, the cancer spread from his back to his groin, forcing him to have surgery to remove his lymph nodes.
It was finally immunotherapy treatments every six weeks between Christmas 2021 and 2022 that led him to remission.
Today, the young man shares his experience on TikTok, to raise awareness among young people who might feel invincible like him.
“I hope my story can be a warning to others. I don’t think enough people realize how dangerous tanning beds are,” added the man who is now involved in various cancer-fighting organizations.
“I haven’t been back to tanning beds since my diagnosis. I only use fake tan now,” he concluded.