Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies has added his voice to Melanoma Awareness Month after experts raised concerns in response to the new data released by the charity Melanoma Focus which shows that 32% of British people reported rarely or never using sunscreen when in the UK and only 11% saying that they always use it.
Male respondents were particularly reluctant to use sunscreen, with 40% saying they rarely or never use it in the UK and only 8% reporting always using it.
When asked why they don’t use sunscreen the majority (39%) said it’s because they don't expect to burn. This is despite 52% of all respondents reporting that they got sunburned at least once per year, rising to 71% for 26-35 year olds.
James, who recently met with melanoma patients and specialists at the Melanoma Awareness Month Parliamentary event, said:
“I’m delighted to support Melanoma Awareness Month and do what I can to help encourage my constituents to protect themselves and their loved ones from this rising and very serious form of skin cancer.
“We are currently enjoying some glorious weather, but before going out in the sun I urge people to slap on the sunscreen.
“Melanoma skin cancer is a serious and potentially fatal condition, yet people in the UK are often ignoring the dangers posed by prolonged exposure to the UV rays. Most people wouldn’t consider sitting out in the sun abroad without wearing sunscreen, but in the UK it is a different story.
“Recent research has shown that there has been a huge increase in the number of people in Britain being diagnosed with melanoma, despite efforts to educate the public on the risks, yet the vast majority (86%) of melanoma skin cancer is preventable.
“Just a few minutes applying sunscreen could save your life.”
The reported use of sunbeds is also a serious concern. It is estimated that in the UK about 100 people die each year from melanomas that are due to sunbed use.
The survey found that 28% of British people have used sunbeds despite 82% of all respondents knowing that they increase the risk of skin cancer. Sunbed use was highest among 26-35 year olds at 40%.
Susanna Daniels, CEO of Melanoma Focus, said:
“About seven people die from melanoma every day in the UK and more people die from melanoma in the UK than in Australia. The fact that people are continuing to ignore the warnings and not take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from skin cancer is concerning.”
Professor Catherine Harwood, Consultant Dermatologist at Barts Health and Trustee at Melanoma Focus, said:
“The survey results clearly show that many people in the UK don’t always appreciate how dangerous sunburn can be. Sun exposure, particularly when young, can cause permanent DNA damage in the skin making it more likely for skin cancers like melanoma to develop.
“Skin protection should be taken seriously, especially by those with lighter skin tones. During the summer, whether in the UK or abroad, I recommend wearing a combined UVA and UVB sunscreen of SPF 30 or above and avoiding the sun in the middle of the day.”
