Katie Price faces fan backlash over sun bed use as cancer fears rise

British media personality Katie Price faced online backlash from fans after posting a selfie in a sun bed amid renewed cancer concerns, as she was rushed to hospital over a troubling weight loss.

Price, 47, has been undergoing tests after revealing she cannot explain why she has been losing weight and disclosing a lump on the finger that previously carried leiomyosarcoma, a rare cancer she says occurred during her pregnancy with her son Harvey in 2002. In recent days she has publicly discussed fears that the cancer could return and said she was reviewing the lump with medical professionals. During the same period she shared details of her attempts at alternative therapies, including red light therapy, and she posted a selfie while tanning on Thursday. She told followers: "So before I try the sun bed, not try - have the sunbed. I'm going to try this red light therapy bed, which is right here." She added: "Never had one before, apparently it's good for your bones and skin. Let me check it out."

Fans quickly weighed in on the timing of the sun bed post given her cancer fears. Comments under the post included: "Talks about Cancer scares, then posts on a sun bed???" and "Too much sun can give you cancer, I’m going to give you a fatherly advice STOP pushing yourself too far." Others questioned the risk: "I thought you said that cancer COULD be an issue…now you’re on a sunbed??" and "Skin cancer right there...lol..." Some followers urged caution given her ongoing concerns about the finger and the lump.

Experts and fans alike are familiar with Price’s medical history. She previously disclosed that leiomyosarcoma developed in the same finger where she later reported a lump and described the attack on nearby smooth muscle tissue. In her extensive recounting of past symptoms, she explained that the lump first appeared years ago, prompting MRI scans and medical visits that she says continued for about six years before she was told she was clear. She described the current finger pain as a possible return of the issue and said she hoped the latest tests would provide clarity.

The timeline of Price’s health has included periods of significant weight loss, hospital visits, and surgical recoveries. Over the weekend she was admitted to hospital for the weight loss and said she needed stitches after injuring her hand in a kitchen accident, sharing graphic images and detailing the stitches and medical renderings on social media. She has previously denied using weight loss medications, insisting that her recent slimmed-down figure was a result of health events and personal choices rather than medication. In May she acknowledged her weight dip publicly, noting that her prior health battles and IVF history had impacted her body image and weight. Price has also spoken of the long-term effects of her earlier health challenges, including a period when she was wheelchair-bound following injuries to her feet.

Alongside the medical updates, Price has continued to navigate the attention of fans and media on her personal life, including previous hospital stays and injuries, with no official update from her representatives on the current medical status beyond what she has shared on her show and social media. As tests proceed, Price has indicated she remains hopeful for clarity about her finger and weight concerns, while fans watch closely for further updates and any guidance from her medical team. The discussion around sun bed use in light of medical fears underscores the broader public interest in how public figures manage health disclosures and personal risk in the spotlight.