Two-fifths of people (40%) have reported they get a sunburn on purpose to “deepen” a tan, despite the fact that getting a painful sunburn just once every two years can increase the likelihood for skin cancer three-fold.
The research, conducted by Macmillian Cancer Support, surveyed 1,000 men and women in the UK, and found that a quarter (25%) felt that burning in the sun was the only method of getting a tan – more than 90% knew that getting a sunburn can lead to skin cancer.
In Wales and the Midlands 30% were more likely than people in the North and Scotland to burn in the sun to achieve a deeper tan.
Additionally, the survey showed that young people (aged 18 to 35) were more than twice as likely as their parents (aged 55 or older) to think that burning in the sun will secure a faster tan.
Following a long, cold winter, one in 10 Brits were planning to lay out without using suntan lotion, increasing their risk for skin cancer. Men were nearly twice as likely as women to not use any suntan lotion.
The number of people diagnosed with malignant melanoma – the most serious type of skin cancer – in the UK is increasing, with approximately 35 people being diagnosed each day.
Judy Duddridge, 45, Cambridgeshire, a skin cancer survivor, explained:
“I spent many years living in Dubai so I was always in and out of the sun with little protection. I was very unaware of the damage that too much sun and getting burnt could do. I thought I was just living my life normally. My cancer was between my eyebrows and left me with a nasty scar and made me self conscious. It’s so important to be sun aware, never to burn and always wear and top up with sunscreen.”
The Macmillian team suggests that no one should face cancer alone.
Carol Goodman, Skin Cancer Nurse Specialist on the Macmillan Support Line, says:
“This new research shows that despite being aware of the health risks people are still burning themselves in the sun in order to get a tan. As we start to look forward to summer after one of the coldest winters yet, it is alarming that staying safe in the sun is not a priority for many people.
Sunburn will cause serious damage to your skin which can lead to cancer. A diagnosis of malignant melanoma can be just as fatal as some other cancers. It is vital to protect your skin when out in the sun by using sun tan lotion, wearing sun protective clothing (including hats and sunglasses) or staying in the shade between the hours of 11am and 3pm.”
- Find shade when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
- Avoid sunburn and indoor tanning. Use caution around reflective surfaces, like water and sand.
- Use clothes that protect from the sun, like hats and sunglasses.
- Check the UV index to prevent overexposure to the sun.
- Carefully read sunscreen labels, as it was recently reported that only 25% of sunscreen products offer strong and broad UV protection and raise few health concerns.
Written by Kelly Fitzgerald