Survey highlights our worrying attitude to sun safety
After enjoying soaring temperatures in recent weeks, a new study has shed light on our attitude towards protecting our skin. Worryingly, only 40% of Brits buy SPF when they go on holiday, and only half wear SPF when it’s sunny. The Face the Future survey also found that a fifth of men never wear SPF, compared to 9% of women.
Alongside the record-breaking temperatures we’re experiencing, London is regularly registering high UV index levels. The ultraviolet or UV index tells you how intense the sun’s UV rays are. Too much UV exposure damages DNA in your skin cells, resulting in sunburn in the short term, and another recent study carried out by Cancer Research UK found a third of British adults had been sunburnt in the UK over the last 12 months.
If the body can’t repair this damage, abnormal cells can develop, leading to skin cancer.
Knowing the signs of skin cancer
Another issue highlighted by the Face the Future survey was that 46% of UK adults were not familiar with the symptoms of skin cancer.
The main types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. Skin cancers can look different from one individual to another, but watch out for any new growth or a change to an existing growth or mole. This includes:
- A new skin growth or a change to an existing growth in terms of size, shape or colour
- A new mole or a mole that changes in size, shape or colour
- A mole or skin growth that bleeds
- A pearly bump on your face, ears or neck.
- Sores that look crusty or bleed often
- A growth with a raised border
- A wound or sore that won’t heal, or that comes back again
- A scaly lesion that might itch or bleed
While most moles and skin growth are benign and are never likely to cause health problems, it is essential to have any new lesions or changes in existing lesions checked. Most skin cancer is treatable if caught early enough. Prevention is better than cure, though, and practicing sun safety is vital.
Please call +44 (0)20 4580 1152 to make an appointment or fill in our contact form and one of the team will be in touch to book you in for a skin check.
