Stay safe in the sun
Look after your skin
Now summer is here, it's essential to put sun protection at the top of your agenda.
The main cause of skin cancer is too much exposure to the sun's rays (radiation). The rays penetrate deep into the skin and damage DNA, the genetic material that make up our genes.
Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK and more people are developing it. Each year, more than 75,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with skin cancer and around 2,300 die from the condition.
It is important to protect your skin - even on cloudy days - to reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Top tips to protect your skin:
- Always use a factor 15+ sunscreen (SPF 15), reapply frequently, and never let your skin burn
- Reduce exposure to the sun during the hottest part of the day (11am - 3pm)
- Cover up with a t-shirt or shirt, hat and sunglasses, and use sunscreen on exposed legs and feet
- Take extra care with children's skin and keep very young children out of the sun
- Keep an eye on moles - if you notice any changes in size, shape or colour of if a mole bleeds, itches or reddens, see your GP
Sun safety Q&A - top tips from NHS Choices
Heatwave
Visit NHS Choices for more advice about how to cope in a heatwave.
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