Sunbed addiction nearly killed me
A MOTHER says she is lucky to be alive after her teenage addiction to tanning led to a 10-year battle with skin cancer.
Sonya McGrory, 37, had a tumour the size of a grapefruit removed from her leg.
Four years later another lump was removed from her groin and despite two years of treatment another tumour then grew on her back.
Now she is warning other teenagers of the risks that sunbeds pose after admitting to “frying” her skin to look good.
“I remember tanning from a very young age,” she said. “I am naturally pale but I thought I looked better with a tan. I started using sunbeds when I was 15 and at some points used them every day. I was a silly girl who just wanted to be brown. I am extremely lucky to be alive.”
Sonya, who lives in Coventry with husband Pete, 39, a chef, and their son Joshua, eight, wants her experience to be a warning to others. She said: “I know people think tans look healthy but it is just not worth it.
“Now whenever I go out I make sure my skin is covered and I have suncream on.”