Woman Who Started Using Sunbeds at 15 To Compete for Best Tan With Friends Dies of Skin Cancer at 30

Chelsea Tantum, a Manchester woman who began using sunbeds at 15 after competing with friends for the best tan, has died from advanced melanoma aged 30. Her death on 30 September followed months of campaigning for stronger protections against underage tanning.

Tantum had been diagnosed at 28 and later learned the cancer had reached her brain shortly before her 30th birthday. Before her death, Tantum had spoken publicly about the dangers of sunbed use and campaigned for stronger age checks. She said she had never been asked for identification while using sunbeds as a minor.

Chelsea Tantum's Sunbed Story

Tantum began using sunbeds at about 15, saying she and her friends would compete to see who could achieve the best tan. She continued using them regularly for around a decade.

She was diagnosed with stage 3C melanoma at 28 after a mole on her leg changed. Her own account says the cancer had spread to lymph nodes and later to her spine, ribs, pelvis, femurs, lungs, liver, spleen and breast.

Treatment included surgery and immunotherapy. At one point, the illness left Tantum unable to walk and using a wheelchair, while she also received palliative care.

Melanoma Spread to Her Brain

Tantum said her treatment initially produced an encouraging response, with scans showing no evidence of disease in organs that had previously been affected. However, shortly before her 30th birthday, an MRI revealed that the melanoma had spread to her brain. She described the diagnosis as stage 4D and was preparing for stereotactic radiosurgery.

'As I approached my 30th birthday, I truly believed I was about to hear the words I had been waiting so long for: "no evidence of disease",' she wrote on her JustGiving fundraising page. 'Instead, I received devastating news. The melanoma had metastasised to my brain. I am now stage 4D.'

She continued speaking publicly about melanoma throughout her illness, using her experience to raise awareness of the disease and encourage people to take changes in their skin seriously.

Her Sunbed Safety Campaign

Tantum worked with Melanoma Focus and campaigned for mandatory identification checks at tanning salons after saying she had been able to use sunbeds underage without being asked for ID. She also raised £4,210 ($5,603) for Melanoma Focus. The charity confirmed that she died on 30 September, aged 30, and described her as a passionate supporter who wanted to make a difference for others affected by melanoma.

The UK Government moved to strengthen sunbed protections in England. In May, ministers announced proposals for mandatory ID checks and staff presence during commercial sunbed use, noting that under-18s were already prohibited from using commercial sunbeds.

According to the Department of Health and Social Care, the proposals followed evidence that the existing restrictions were not always being followed. The consultation closed in August.

Sunbeds emit ultraviolet radiation, which can damage skin and increase cancer risk. Government guidance says people under 18 should not use them, while the World Health Organization classifies UV-emitting tanning devices as carcinogenic to humans.

Tributes to Chelsea Tantum

Friends and family have since paid tribute to Tantum, remembering her determination and the effort she made to raise awareness while undergoing treatment. Her funeral is due to take place at Albion Church in Ashton on Friday, 23 October, followed by a committal at Dukinfield Crematorium.

Melanoma Focus said Tantum's contribution to its work and the people she helped would not be forgotten.