![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/sunbed-addict-who-survived-cancer-but-kept-on-tanning-now-faces-worse-diagnosis/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/newspress-collage-24147333-1695740868137.jpg&description='STUPID MISTAKE' Published : 16:12, 26 Sep 2023 CARMEN Oakes was given the all-clear in 2014 after having a cancerous mole removed. But the tan-loving mum couldn't give up her regular sunbed visits - and was handed a shocking diagnosis. 6 Carmen Oakes, 48, admits she was 'stupid' to continue her regular sunbed sessions after being cleared of cancer 2014 Credit: Kennedy News 6 Carmen had a mole removed from back in 2014, which medics confirmed was cancerous Credit: Kennedy News 6 Doctors found a tumour in Carmen's lungs after she complained of chest and arm pain in January - immunotherapy has shrunk it but it's still there Now facing a worse fate, Carmen admits she was 'stupid' to squander her 'second chance at life'. Carmen, 48, was told a red-coloured mole on her back was cancerous in June 2014, but she was declared disease-free after a successful op. However, despite the scare, Carmen couldn't give up her 30-year sunbed habit and continued tanning almost weekly to keep her golden glow. In January this year, a four-inch mass was found in her right lung and Carmen received the horrifying news she had stage four metastatic melanoma. The mum-of-two now regrets not heeding her first warning and blames sunbeds for her devastating diagnosis - warning others to 'avoid ruining their skin' with their powerful UV rays. Carmen, from Portsmouth , Hampshire, said: "I was playing with fire, but me being stupid, I thought 'oh well, they've just cut it out'. "I had a second chance in life so I still went back on [tanning beds]. I should never have gone back on them." Carmen confessed to sneaking in a sunbed session with her husband for the smallest occasion - like before Christmas or going out. "Please don't think a tan is more important than having your life," she pleaded with tan-lovers. "Those sunbeds damage your skin. They age you and they kill you." Carmen also flagged how some still remain unaware of how dangerous the hobby can be. "There's so many people that use these sunb){kind=link}
CARMEN Oakes was given the all-clear in 2014 after having a cancerous mole removed.
But the tan-loving mum couldn’t give up her regular sunbed visits – and was handed a shocking diagnosis.
Now facing a worse fate, Carmen admits she was ‘stupid’ to squander her ‘second chance at life’.
Carmen, 48, was told a red-coloured mole on her back was cancerous in June 2014, but she was declared disease-free after a successful op.
However, despite the scare, Carmen couldn’t give up her 30-year sunbed habit and continued tanning almost weekly to keep her golden glow.