Summer is upon us (in theory at least) and that means more time outdoors, enjoying those precious moments of decent weather. But just because we may have forgotten what sunshine looks like, doesn’t mean we should forget the damage that can occur if our skin is overexposed to the sun.
Because as well as sunburn and premature ageing, excess sun exposure is the number one cause of skin cancers, including melanoma – the most serious form. In fact, an estimated eight out of 10 cases of melanoma are linked to excess sun or UV light exposure.
So with the sun out, we thought we’d clear up 12 common myths around sun safety to help you keep your skin healthy and reduce your risk of serious damage.
Myth #1: ‘Sunscreen is the best way to protect myself from too much sun’
Image credit: flickr
When it comes to protecting your skin, there’s much more to think about than just sunscreen – much more. Sunscreen shouldn’t even be the first thing you think about. Making sure you spend time in the shade, especially between 11am and 3pm in the UK summer – as well as abroad -, and covering up with clothing, a hat and sunglasses are much better ways to enjoy the sun safely. Sunscreen is best used as a supporting act to protect the bits you can’t cover. Use one that has at least SPF15 and 4 or more stars; put plenty on and reapply regularly.
Myth #2: ‘Tanned skin is a sign of good health’
No it’s not – a tan is a sign that your skin is trying to protect itself from the damage the sun is doing – it’s certainly not a sign of good health. And any pink- or redness, even if your skin isn’t raw or blistered, is a clear sign that the genetic material (DNA) in skin cells has been damaged. This kind of damage can build up over time and cause skin cancer. Cancer Research UK would like to see more people celebrate their natural skin tone #OwnYourTone
Myth #3: ‘I can’t get sunburnt on cloudy days’
Yes you can – UV rays can go through clouds, so cloudy and even rainy days can be deceiving. If it’s overcast or if there’s a bit of wind you may also not notice that you’re getting sunburnt before it’s too late. The UV Index can help you check how strong the sun will be on a given day – if it’s 3 or above the sun’s strong enough to cause sunburn, especially in people who burn easily and/or have fair skin.
Myth #4: ‘Sunscreen that’s more expensive offers better protection’
Image credit: flickr
The most important thing is actually the SPF and star rating, rather than price or brand. In tests by Which? cheaper brands performed as well as more expensive ones, and the majority of products provided the level of protection advertised on the bottle. But no matter the price, what’s most important to remember is to put on enough sunscreen and to reapply it regularly. And that even goes for once-a-day sunscreens.
Myth #5: ‘Dark skinned people don’t get sunburnt’
Anyone can get sunburnt – including dark skinned people. But different people will have a different risk of sunburn depending on their skin type. Generally in the UK people with fairer skin are at higher risk of sunburn whereas people with darker skin are more likely to have low vitamin D – so it’s a good idea to know your skin type and when you’ll need to protect yourself.
Myth #6: ‘SPF in my makeup is enough’
Image credit: flickr
Sadly it’s not. Even if your makeup label claims to offer sun protection, you’d need to apply several times the normal amount of foundation to get even close to the level of protection stated on the bottle – and let’s face it: that just wouldn’t look good. And you’re also highly unlikely to reapply makeup regularly enough; so using makeup with SPF is not the same as putting on sunscreen.
Myth #7: ‘I need to get as much sun as possible to get enough vitamin D’
While it’s true that we all need a bit of sun to make vitamin D, for most people brief, casual exposure to the sun allows the body to make enough, so there’s no need to sunbathe or risk sunburn. And once you’ve made enough, your body will just start to break down any extra vitamin D that’s made – so spending even longer in the sun won’t help.
Myth #8: ‘The sun in the UK isn’t strong enough to give me sunburn’
It can be – especially between March and October. It’s easy to underestimate how strong the sun can be here and get caught out. In fact, a 2016 survey by Cancer Research UK and Nivea Sun showed that more than 8 in 10 British people have got sunburnt in the UK. Check the UV Index or use the ‘shadow rule’ to work out whether the sun is strong – simply look at your shadow and if it’s shorter than your height this means that the sun’s UV rays are strong.
Myth #9: ‘Sunscreens need to protect you from infrared rays too’
Image credit: flickr
A number of sunscreens now offer protection from infrared rays. But when it comes to skin cancer risk, infrared protection isn’t important – it’s UV rays that matter. So there’s no need to fork out extra for sunscreen that protects from infrared if you don’t want to. Just make sure your sunscreen offers at least SPF15 and 4 or more stars for UV protection.
Myth #10: ‘A tan protects my skin from sun damage’
A tan only offers a sun protection factor (SPF) of around 3 – not nearly enough to protect yourself from sun damage. There is no such thing as a safe tan.
Myth #11: ‘I’ve been sunburnt before, so there’s no point in protecting myself now – the damage is already done’
Nope! First of all, your body has sophisticated repair mechanisms that can fix some of the damage that is done when you get sunburnt. Unfortunately, those repair mechanisms aren’t perfect and with every sunburn, damage builds up, increasing your risk of skin cancer. But because this damage is cumulative – rather than a one-time event – it’s never too late to start protecting yourself.
Myth #12: ‘Aftersun products repair the damage done by sunburn’
Image credit: flickr
No they don’t. While aftersun products may soothe the unpleasant symptoms of sunburn, they won’t fix any damage that was done to the DNA inside your cells. So if you notice that your skin is starting to go red, seek shade and cover up immediately. Don’t spend more time in the sun that day – even with sunscreen – and don’t rely on aftersun to fix the damage.
Jana
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Comments
Alison M August 7, 2016
Excellent article. I was in Italy recently on holiday and even though lots of people were sunbathing all day around me, I knew to be careful during peak hours and to have plenty of time in shade as well as my northern skin just not used to that intense heat
Michelle August 6, 2016
Great advice, although seeing as Cancer Research “teamed up” with Nivea sun care range a few weeks back and a lot of their products are 3 star rated (over super market ranges that are generally 5 star rated), this is a bit late now!
Sharn August 5, 2016
Great common sense advice but I’m sorry your myth 7 is a concern as I believe it’s not entirely correct…it is believed that up to.. 80% of the population in Britain are vitamin D deficient with drastic consequences. Rickets and osteoporosis is on the rise.. There has also been links to Vitamin D deficiency and cancer. We need 20 minutes of exposure on clear clean skin every day the sun is out throughout the summer. Too much sun harms us so does too little. Vitamin D cannot be made if every time we step outside we are wearing a hat and caked in sun cream. So while it’s essential to protect ourselves it is also essential that we try and get a measured amount.
Michelle August 5, 2016
Please keep raising awareness. I lost my dad to malignant melanoma 12 years since. It does happen to normal people and destroys families.X
Cemile Sami July 13, 2016
Thank you, I found this and every article you send me very useful and helpful. Specially this article x
Cat Senior July 6, 2016
Very useful information.nice and easy to understand and hopefully it will protect a lot more people.i have had skin cancer removed from my face…………not nice
sandy collins June 30, 2016
Very informative and necessary
Marilyn Parker June 30, 2016
I like it. Everything is set out in an interesting way. It gets to the point and is informative but doesn’t have too much information which might put people off reading it.
Estelita Tanedo June 30, 2016
A useful information
Liz Tucker June 29, 2016
We need diagnostic pictures and information to help people recognise cancers before its too late for treatment.
Susan Ford June 29, 2016
Excellent article. Concise. Thanks Sue Ford.
Pamela Holland June 28, 2016
Very good information. Have just returned from Lanzarote where I was horrified to see British families taking their very small children out in the sun without sunhat. There’s usually a strong breeze blowing there but the sun is still burning tender skin.
Beryl Milburn June 28, 2016
Brilliant info more than I knew already…………..having suffered a skin cancer on my face it reinforced the need to be vigilant and dispelled some misinformation through advertising. Thanks again
Lesley June 26, 2016
Great advice with some really useful info i didnt previously know
Pamela June 26, 2016
Good article with useful facts.
I am fair skinned and burn easily . As a child my mother protected my skin and instilled In me a good protection regime as there were no sun creams readily available in the 60s. When adventuring abroad on holiday 10years ago I sought advice in a major chemist chain. I was told Spf30 was suitable. I didn’t burn, but I can see the damage like scars on my lower arms and age spots on my hands. 2 years ago a sore spot of skin broke out on my nose and wouldn’t heal. It was sun damage. I was given a gel which literally burned a small hole in my face, not a nice experience but I reckon I was lucky it was caught early. I now use Ultrasun 50+ on any exposed skin, sit in the shade and wear a hat. I use rose oil on my face which has also helped with pigmentation. I look at my plant pots on the patio and see them turning whiter. If the sun is bleaching them what is it doing to us? You cannot be complacent.
John June 26, 2016
Where is the relevant articles and journals supporting these claims?
I would like to see the evidence supporting these claims?
What sample sizes where used to provide the evidence supporting these claims?
MaryRoe June 25, 2016
a useful and clear set of instructions
Janet Moore June 25, 2016
A very informative article. Many things I did,nt know about.
Veronica Steel June 24, 2016
I agree with all that you have said as I lost my father from malignant melanoma 24 years ago. I personally use a high factor organic sun cream as I experienced a skin rash from commercial preparations.l
Jodie Robinson June 23, 2016
Very interesting
Elaine lexanderg June 23, 2016
Good common sense warnings and advice. I would,point out however. That the higher factor can cause allergies. I tried a Factor 50 sunscreen by Nivea and have ended up with eczema (I have never suffered from this in my 73 years prior to using this sunscreen). I have been told it is better to use Factor 15 and keep replenishing it regularly.
Maureen June 23, 2016
Good advice. However can someone please confirm if it is true that wearing suncream when swimming in a pool is of no value as the chemicals in the pool negate the effectiveness of the suncream.
Mrs J A Humphries June 23, 2016
Excellent questions and answers- thank you
Brian Mayell June 23, 2016
The article (as usual) was very informative and full of important information.
Jane June 23, 2016
Good advice, but I would like to know which sun protection products your society would recommend!
Ann June 22, 2016
Very helpful and informative!
Carol Jones June 22, 2016
Very informative easy read
Researcher Mr,Md.Syedur Rahman Chowdhury June 22, 2016
Basal cell carcinoma signs and symptoms
Basal cell carcinoma usually occurs in sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your neck or face.
Basal cell carcinoma may appear as:
A pearly or waxy bump
A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion
Squamous cell carcinoma signs and symptoms
Most often, squamous cell carcinoma occurs on sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your face, ears and hands. People with darker skin are more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma on areas that aren’t often exposed to the sun.
Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as:
A firm, red nodule
A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface
Melanoma signs and symptoms
Melanoma can develop anywhere on your body, in otherwise normal skin or in an existing mole that becomes cancerous. Melanoma most often appears on the face or the trunk of affected men. In women, this type of cancer most often develops on the lower legs. In both men and women, melanoma can occur on skin that hasn’t been exposed to the sun.
Melanoma can affect people of any skin tone. In people with darker skin tones, melanoma tends to occur on the palms or soles, or under the fingernails or toenails.
Melanoma signs include:
A large brownish spot with darker speckles
A mole that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds
A small lesion with an irregular border and portions that appear red, white, blue or blue-black
Dark lesions on your palms, soles, fingertips or toes, or on mucous membranes lining your mouth, nose, vagina or anus
Signs and symptoms of less common skin cancers
Other, less common types of skin cancer include:
Kaposi sarcoma. This rare form of skin cancer develops in the skin’s blood vessels and causes red or purple patches on the skin or mucous membranes.
Kaposi sarcoma mainly occurs in people with weakened immune systems, such as people with AIDS, and in people taking medications that suppress their natural immunity, such as people who’ve undergone organ transplants.
Other people with an increased risk of Kaposi sarcoma include young men living in Africa or older men of Italian or Eastern European Jewish heritage.
Merkel cell carcinoma. Merkel cell carcinoma causes firm, shiny nodules that occur on or just beneath the skin and in hair follicles. Merkel cell carcinoma is most often found on the head, neck and trunk.
Sebaceous gland carcinoma. This uncommon and aggressive cancer originates in the oil glands in the skin. Sebaceous gland carcinomas — which usually appear as hard, painless nodules — can develop anywhere, but most occur on the eyelid, where they’re frequently mistaken for other eyelid problems.
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any changes to your skin that worry you. Not all skin changes are caused by skin cancer. Your doctor will investigate your skin changes to determine a cause.
Researcher Mr,Md.Syedur Rahman Chowdhury June 22, 2016
Basal cell carcinoma signs and symptoms
Basal cell carcinoma usually occurs in sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your neck or face.
Basal cell carcinoma may appear as:
A pearly or waxy bump
A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion
Squamous cell carcinoma signs and symptoms
Most often, squamous cell carcinoma occurs on sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your face, ears and hands. People with darker skin are more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma on areas that aren’t often exposed to the sun.
Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as:
A firm, red nodule
A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface
Melanoma signs and symptoms
Melanoma can develop anywhere on your body, in otherwise normal skin or in an existing mole that becomes cancerous. Melanoma most often appears on the face or the trunk of affected men. In women, this type of cancer most often develops on the lower legs. In both men and women, melanoma can occur on skin that hasn’t been exposed to the sun.
Melanoma can affect people of any skin tone. In people with darker skin tones, melanoma tends to occur on the palms or soles, or under the fingernails or toenails.
Melanoma signs include:
A large brownish spot with darker speckles
A mole that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds
A small lesion with an irregular border and portions that appear red, white, blue or blue-black
Dark lesions on your palms, soles, fingertips or toes, or on mucous membranes lining your mouth, nose, vagina or anus
Signs and symptoms of less common skin cancers
Other, less common types of skin cancer include:
Kaposi sarcoma. This rare form of skin cancer develops in the skin’s blood vessels and causes red or purple patches on the skin or mucous membranes.
Kaposi sarcoma mainly occurs in people with weakened immune systems, such as people with AIDS, and in people taking medications that suppress their natural immunity, such as people who’ve undergone organ transplants.
Other people with an increased risk of Kaposi sarcoma include young men living in Africa or older men of Italian or Eastern European Jewish heritage.
Merkel cell carcinoma. Merkel cell carcinoma causes firm, shiny nodules that occur on or just beneath the skin and in hair follicles. Merkel cell carcinoma is most often found on the head, neck and trunk.
Sebaceous gland carcinoma. This uncommon and aggressive cancer originates in the oil glands in the skin. Sebaceous gland carcinomas — which usually appear as hard, painless nodules — can develop anywhere, but most occur on the eyelid, where they’re frequently mistaken for other eyelid problems.
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any changes to your skin that worry you. Not all skin changes are caused by skin cancer. Your doctor will investigate your skin changes to
Paul June 22, 2016
I think this information should ( if it is not already) be taught in all our schools.
Malcolm June 22, 2016
A very good informative article. If only we had this information when I was a child.
Bet Filby June 22, 2016
This is really good stuff and worth remembering. I don’t think we will ever convince people that a tan is not a “good” look though! You still hear them say things like “don’t you look well?” and “you look really healthy!”. I’m trying to stay “pale and interesting”!!
Ian Brough June 22, 2016
Valuable informationm
Lisa Tripp June 22, 2016
Brilliant advice.
Jan June 22, 2016
Clothing can have spf too, especially sports/ outdoor shirts etc. Look for the label.
Michael Mason June 22, 2016
Excellent advise
Ron F June 22, 2016
great tip reminders Yess cover up
sue davies June 22, 2016
Brilliant and very informative. Thank you for clearing up the myths of sunburn. Lets hope people read and educate themselves as it could save their lives
Mhairi June 22, 2016
Great article. Only thing I’d add is that mineral sunscreens will damage your skin less than traditional non mineral sun creams (which contain chemicals which can add to cell damage and have had proven links to some types of cancer)
Sue Lloyd June 22, 2016
Good, sound advice. Easy to read and understand.
Des Pedlow June 22, 2016
Excellent – absolutely clear and to the point.
Frances June 22, 2016
Very helpful and informative thank you xx
Mr Peter Blatchford June 22, 2016
I spent my days in the sun factor 2 sun oil 8am-6pm virtually everyday now my complete back is covered in what the G.P. says are warts i have moles on the side of my neck going right up the side of my face.
Gil June 22, 2016
@ Katie Isbester
The only part of the link that is needed is, http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2016/06/10/12-sun-safety-myths-debunked
jill parks June 22, 2016
Extremely worthwhile information that people should know about – thank you and well done!
Alan Headland June 22, 2016
Extremely enlightening.
Katie Isbester June 22, 2016
I tried to share this article on twitter but you have not got a shortened code so there is no room for me to comment on it. So I didn’t do it. Please upgrade your social media.
Thanks .
Claire June 22, 2016
Good information, but it is important to point that not all clothing provides adequate protection against the sun.
Christine Lowe June 22, 2016
Great advice if only we knew this when i was younger.keep up the good work in your fight against skin cancer.Thanks to research and trials im still here after having malignant melanoma diagnosed.Good work and thank you
James June 22, 2016
Wearing a wide brimmed hat is a great idea – it protects most of your face and neck and can also cast shade over other parts of your body. Wearing a long-sleeved shirt over a t-shirt is another tactic I use to protect myself from the sun. Cotton shirts won’t usually make you too warm and your arms will be well-protected from the sun. Sun safety is really important, don’t make the mistake of thinking it is not, especially if you are young!
shirley clancy June 22, 2016
Very helpful info; wish we were having more sunshiny days to enjoy using it!
Maybe our summer will begin in July and even stay through August too!
Mary Walters June 22, 2016
Very informative.clear and concise!!
Maureen groom June 22, 2016
Excellent points, it’s a same that these facts are not more known.
Vince Wright June 22, 2016
Extremely useful information. I’m sure most of us know most of this yet the sun does have that great attraction.
Jan June 22, 2016
Very clear and useful – thank you
Ann June 22, 2016
Very interesting, we should all take notice and practice what you say.
Vivie June 22, 2016
Excellent article, l just wish I could persuade my husband to use sun lotion, he had a cancerous mole removed a few years ago on his nose but still won’t use sunscreen!,
Abbe June 22, 2016
Really good information; goes a long way towards reeducation, but we also need more political & media input to get the news across & change attitudes. The fashion industry & advertising need to take a lead in the campaign to fight skin cancer.
Angela O'Neill June 22, 2016
Excellent, informative site. I do think it’s important for women/girls to know that, although their moisturiser and foundation state SPF 15, they offer no real protection
Deborah Beard June 22, 2016
Very interesting although I am not a sun worshipper. I have learned that if the shadow is shorter than yourself then sun is strong. Very informative.
Roy June 22, 2016
Thank You for the truly helpful information, which I will heed .
Gemma June 22, 2016
Thank you, so grateful for these 12 myths; I have a clearer understandingx
nicky hood June 22, 2016
On point!!!! Info,,,, thankyou x x
Jon June 22, 2016
Thank you for clear unambiguous information, without being sidetracked with advertisements.
Josephine Pyke June 21, 2016
Thank goodness for this safety myth chart. I have been telling my husband to protect his scalp even on a cloudy day with a hat.
We both read the article in Which magazine. More information of this kind is essential to get the message home.
You dont have to have a tan to look beautiful!
Ann Conroy June 21, 2016
First I’ve heard of the shadow rule. I must try it out. An excellent advert as I have seen what damage the sun can do. My stepmother, who lived in Western Australia had two cancerous moles removed from her nose due to sun exposure. By the way, the Aussies are extremely cautious about sun exposure and cover up much more than us.
Jenni Ward June 21, 2016
Love the Shadow rule, works whatever the time of year or latitude you are in. I think this needs promoting more.
Joanne June 21, 2016
Very good. As we all get confused with different information. It’s good to get the facts. Thank you
Carolyn June 21, 2016
Good information – thank you
Lorna June 21, 2016
What about when you are driving . Can you get burnt through glass?
Mark Bradley June 21, 2016
It’s surprising how ill informed we are about damage from the sun’s uv rays?
Ann Jehan June 21, 2016
Very informative and essential information which needs to reach as many people as possible. I lost a friend through melanoma caused by too much sunbathing in the 1970s and 80s, causing her death in 1996. We didn’t know how dangerous the sun can be in the 1970s, but we do now so let’s make sure everyone gets to know.
Aziza June 21, 2016
Thank you! Very informative.
John Haas June 21, 2016
Very useful information, but lots of the folk who get sunburn won’t have seen this. Why not put simpler versions on posters to display in holiday places?
Peter June 21, 2016
Good advice, as usual, from the experts. Thanks xx
Pamela Rosser June 21, 2016
This is 1 of the best advertisments i have seen and awesome information for everyone to take notice of, many people think they are untouchable, that is far far from truth , abuse yourself and your body and pay the price big time, just do as the information is asking of you and start now and you might just be saving yourself from so much pain and suffering /
janet June 21, 2016
Good advice I have learnt something I thought I already knew. We all need to take more care when out in the Sun.
Thilini June 21, 2016
Many Thank for all important informations.
S Patton June 21, 2016
Thank you. Very useful to have this knowledge before going on holiday
ann June 21, 2016
a family member has melanoma,squamous cell carcinoma,basal cell carcinoma,although the consultant said it isnt hereditary,i am at risk more because i have blonde hair and blue eyes,i have burnt my skin and blistered in the sun at least twice,and my grandmother had it which makes me even more at risk,so i will be applying spf 30 every day from now on x
John Davies June 21, 2016
A good all round information blog, it needs to get to more people
Kerry June 21, 2016
Very helpful article. I do feel cosmetic manufacturers should do more to help people to understand about SPF in moisturiser and foundation products. I do wear sunscreen products on the rest of my body and do not allow my skin to burn but I’ve only recently found out that moisturiser and make up are inadequate protection.
Charley June 21, 2016
An excellent and informative article!
Alexcor June 21, 2016
The price of some suncream is extortionate can this be justified by manufacturer?
Mary June 21, 2016
This information needs to be more widely advertised not ‘hidden’ on a web-site. The more places it gets out to the better.
Ann Beattie June 21, 2016
Mostly what I already know but sometimes forget to put into practice. A good reminder.
Diane June 21, 2016
Very informative. Everyone needs to take care out there even when the suns not out!
marion woodhouse June 21, 2016
Agree with all you have said, sadly the message doesn’t get though to much of the population.
Mavis June 21, 2016
Well written and shows the dangers we try to ignore. Need to read them carefully and follow the instructions. Don’t want skin cancer!
Pip June 21, 2016
Useful
Sue Bowden June 21, 2016
helpful for people who believed these myths. x
Janis harvey June 21, 2016
Very interesting makes u think
Rachel June 21, 2016
Brilliant advice – I’ve got dark skin and I still get burnt and now get age spots too – I always use factor 50 ??
Naomi Bown June 21, 2016
Really informative read, thank you! It’s so true that you can get burnt on a cloudy day. I did a sponsored walk on the promenade one year, wearing shorts and a to shirt. It was cloudy and windy. I got so sun burnt I had to take 3 days off work as I was in so much pain! Have taken care since then, even got a wide brimmed sun hat this year. Just waiting for a bit mor sun so I can wear it!
christine phoenix June 21, 2016
I feel this is good information that makes you stop and read I just wish more people got the chance to receive this information and take it in and practice safe sunbathing with good skin protection .
Rebecca June 21, 2016
Great article and advice about what to look when buying a sunscreen – I wasn’t aware of the 4 star rating. I also never paid much attention to the UV Index, which I shall from now on. Now off to buy myself a hat!
Mary Tipper June 21, 2016
Thank you for this, it was very informative and has left me in no doubt about the does and don’ts of the effects of the sun and prevention of damage. I was particularly surprised that people with dark skin were not naturally protected.
Thank you.
Sandra Milne June 21, 2016
An important article for everybody to read.
Mrs V.Walker June 21, 2016
Absolutely brilliant! Well done for supplying this information, and debunking my long held views (I am 80).
Amanda June 21, 2016
Excellent advice and an informative article. Dispels the myth that a lot of people still believe that a sun tan is healthy!! As a person with moles and freckles, I’m very careful not to stay in the sun as I realise the dangers.
Sarah June 21, 2016
Very interesting, good to know about the UV index, I’ve seen it mentioned on TV and my phone’s weather reports.
John June 21, 2016
You don’t make mention of UVA rays which are very damaging as they penetrate deeper into the skin. Also you need a product with a photostable level of SPF protection. For those reasons I always use the Swiss brand ultrasun which has a 90% filter on UVA rays.
Mary Garley June 21, 2016
It’s always good to have a reminder.
Yasir younes June 21, 2016
Thank you cancer research.Its surely very important article in our daily lives.Best wishes ☺
Alison June 21, 2016
Really great and sensible advice. I had a malignant melons a removed from my face- most probably a cumulative effect of burning.as a child and adult. You can’t underestimate the powerful effect of the sun. This isn’t scaremongering it’s just really good advice.
Denise Woodham June 21, 2016
Very well put together and informative
Miss Sue Williams June 21, 2016
This article is very important for us all. I didn’t know that black people can get sunburn as well as me. Also I didn’t know that the tan isn’t safe & that make-up does protect us either. Thank you Cancer ♋ Research for the advice, it’s much appreciated by me.
Nicky Smith June 21, 2016
I wish we had this information in the 80’s,my sister and I used to cook ourselves in coconut oil!!!!!!
Andrew Tait June 21, 2016
Very good down to earth advice, and if you ignore this advice then you may be in trouble.
Mrs June meier June 21, 2016
I have to have an op on my face as I have basal cell carcinoma due to much sun bathing when I was younger which I now regret.
Andrea June 21, 2016
Very interesting read
Hazel June 21, 2016
I would like to know if when you apply make up/creams etc to your face. Do the sun protection factors build up? I have been told it is only the top one that works to protect you. I have had several operations on my face and would appreciate knowing the answer to this question.
Marina Griffiths June 21, 2016
Thank you for highlighting skin cancer. I have had experience with it. I lost my husband to Melanoma in 2014 so the more awareness we can get the better. It has left us as a family devastated he was 58. We need people to realise that it is not just on the skin and can be cut out it attacks your other organs and can spread very quickly and as we found out it is deadly.
Susie June 21, 2016
Excellent informative advise, giving clear instructions to help people understand the dangers of overexposure to the sun.
Sophie June 21, 2016
Suncreams (and other beauty products) will have a small number on the bottle, often a 24 or 12. This means it’s effective for 12 or 24 months, if there’s no date just write when you bought it so you know when it’s no longer effective. Also store it at under 25c to work at its best, suncream cooked in the sun loses its effectiveness if too hot :)
Mandi quinn June 21, 2016
I only wish I’d had this information years ago! I would never have used sun beds and never gone in the sun without protection! I’ve been battling skin cancer for 4 years and had to have 2 lots of major surgery after the cancer spread! Children in school should be taught about the impact of sun beds and tanning! ?
Barbara McKenzie June 21, 2016
I will certainly be passing this on to my two sons who are very fair and need constant reminding about applying sun protection!
Thank you.
Maggie Douglas June 21, 2016
The article is good provided people heed the comments made. What I think has been missed is about applying sunscreen (specific for water) when doing any water activities, as sea water increases people’s exposure by drying off in the sun. I thought by showing the picture of a child in the sea you were giving advice about this as well.
Suzy June 21, 2016
I am 67 and have learnt something new from this advice thank you. I knew about the SPF factor number but not the 4 or more stars. Plus I have always bought one of the most expensive brands and now know I don’t need too.
Geoff Newbold June 21, 2016
Very wise stuff. Reinforcement for me. A former malignant melanoma sufferer, so grateful to be surviving after 8 years. I contribute to Cancer Research too. Keep up the good work. Rgds Geoff Newbold.
Jill Robertson June 21, 2016
Very informative, good to get that information out there
David June 21, 2016
Wish I had this advice 50 years ago.
Tim Wardle June 21, 2016
Succinctly put and most helpful.
Sue Ireland June 21, 2016
excellent suggestion below. Put these facts on a poster for everyone to read.
Caroline Roberts June 21, 2016
Great timing – my 9 year old daughter is currently finishing her sunsafe poster design for homework ?
Mrs Susan Kirby June 21, 2016
Not all suncreams have no date on them.
So, how do people know how old the cream or oil is.
When do they loose there effectivity. Surely this is wrong. This must be a legal matter.
Anita Campbell June 21, 2016
Very useful information Thank you.
Vikki June 21, 2016
Love the idea of ‘Own Your Tone’. Being fair-skinned I felt so much peer pressure as a teenager to get a tan, which meant hours and hours in the sun…and then still not achieving it.
Tracey Hill June 21, 2016
Thank you we should get more of this out in advertisements on TV after all we all watch TV!!! Why can’t our corporates like boots or superdrug help??
Peter Todd June 21, 2016
Should make up a poster to put in your shops
phil June 21, 2016
72 now. Should have learned this years ago when the sun was our friend.
Richard Barrell June 21, 2016
All very good advice. It’s a pity that the people who need most to take note of it are probably mostly the ones who won’t get to read it. Thank you, Richard Barrell
Sheilagh Lane June 21, 2016
Thank you so much. That was really helpful as I have just finished my chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer and was not sure what to do about going on holiday. My poor Husband really needs a break but I didn’t want to take any risks. I feel much more informed and confident now.
fran hosgetts June 21, 2016
this is a very good info leaflet and people need to take not. I was diagnosed with skin cancer last april and this was due to worshipping the sun too much
Jeremy Roebuck June 21, 2016
Many thanks for this. I’m 57 and when I was a teenager there was no info around about skin cancer risks & the ‘sun creams’ in those days had minimal SPF. I survived a melanoma on my leg in my twenties (which would have killed me if not caught in time) and wish this sort of info had been around back then. Please keep up the great work
John June 21, 2016
Very useful information.
Aisha June 21, 2016
Interesting and informative
DocMills June 14, 2016
Myth #13 – ‘There is no such thing as a safe tan.’
The evidence from numerous studies is that people who sunbath more or work outside or live in sunny places, in other words those more likely to have a tan, live longer.
For example, “Avoidance of sun exposure as a risk factor for major causes of death: a competing risk analysis of the Melanoma in Southern Sweden cohort” (doi:10.1111/joim.12496).
bob June 10, 2016
The answer will shock you
Jean Dudley September 1, 2016
I was diagnosed with skin cancer on my face last year. I had to apply cream to my face for 3 months, not very pleasant. Given the all clear, but it could come back in 5 years. I make sure I use suncream every day and wear sunglasses and a hat when in the full sun, its just not worth the risk.