Newport woman felt ‘so guilty’ having skin cancer while pregnant

A woman says she felt “so guilty” for having skin cancer while pregnant with her son.

Emma Giannuzzi, 36, from Rogerstone, Newport, used sunbeds regularly in her late teens and was diagnosed with melanoma twice – first at 23, and again during pregnancy after noticing a mole on her stomach, with tests after giving birth confirming the cancer.

She is now urging people to opt for fake tanning products instead, warning of the dangers of sunbed use.

According to the NHS, sunbeds are more harmful than natural sunlight because they emit concentrated UV radiation, increasing the risk of skin cancer, premature ageing, sunburn and eye damage.

Gilly Perkins, from the Sunbed Association, said professional salons follow “strict” safety rules, making controlled sunbed use safer than unregulated sunbathing.