The Deadly Cost of a Tan: Alarming New Survey Reveals Millions of Brits Ignore Sun Protection
As temperatures gear up to hit a balmy 25°C across parts of England for the Early May bank holiday weekend, skin cancer experts are issuing an urgent plea to the public.
While the sunshine is a welcome mood-booster for the nation, a shocking new survey of over 3,000 UK adults by the charity Melanoma Focus has exposed a terrifying lack of sun safety awareness. An astonishing 35% of adults admit to never using sunscreen during the summer, and even more alarmingly, 1 in 9 adults have deliberately burnt their skin (either in the sun or via sunbeds) in pursuit of a tan.
The Rising Threat of Melanoma
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, and UV exposure is its primary cause in the UK. Currently, the nation sees around 19,400 new cases and 2,600 deaths from melanoma every single year.
What makes these statistics so tragic is that 86% of melanoma cases in the UK are entirely preventable.
“It is alarming to see that so many individuals are putting themselves at serious risk and overlooking the vital importance of sun protection,” warns Susanna Daniels, Chief Executive of Melanoma Focus. She urges anyone spending time outdoors to seek shade, cover up, and generously apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen.
Britons are set to bask in the sun this bank holiday weekend with temperatures as high as 25C
Men Are at the Highest Risk
The research highlighted a particularly dangerous gender divide. British men are significantly more likely to ignore sun safety, with 41% admitting they do not use sunscreen during the summer months.
Dr. Thomas Carter, a consultant medical oncologist at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in London, noted the severe consequences of this trend: “In the UK, the UV index can be deceptively high, and we’re seeing more men admitted to hospital with severe sunburn than women. Skin burning, whether deliberate or accidental, reflects a lack of awareness that needs urgent attention.”
Decoding the UV Index: What You Need to Know
A major factor contributing to sunburns is a fundamental misunderstanding of how the sun damages our skin. One in four polled adults admitted to knowing nothing about the UV Index—a vital tool that measures the strength of the sun’s radiation at a specific location and time.
There are two main types of ultraviolet rays that damage the skin:
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UVA Rays: Penetrate deep into the skin, causing premature aging and contributing to cancer.
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UVB Rays: Target the outer layer of the skin and are the primary cause of sunburns and skin cancer.
Being exposed to too many UV rays can lead to melanoma – a deadly form of skin cancer
The UV Index measures the intensity of both. Anything above a “3” on the index is considered harmful enough to require protection. Suffering five or more severe sunburns in your lifetime can more than double your risk of developing melanoma.
To help you understand how to protect yourself based on the daily UV forecast, explore the interactive guide below:
Symptoms to Watch For: A Survivor’s Warning
Melanoma is currently the fifth most common cancer in the UK (behind breast, prostate, lung, and bowel cancer). The most common symptom is the appearance of a new mole or a change in the shape, color, or size of an existing mole. While they usually appear on sun-exposed skin, rare types can show up on the soles of feet, palms, genitals, and even under fingernails.
Darren Barker, 48, from London, was diagnosed with melanoma in 2023 after noticing a changing mole on his leg. Fortunately, he caught it early.
“Being diagnosed was really frightening and made me realise how fragile the skin is,” Barker shared. “I’ve had quite a few sunburns in my life… I’m OK now but it’s shaken me and I’m much more careful in the sun. I strongly recommend that everyone protects their skin and sees a doctor as soon as possible if they notice potential symptoms.”
