The British Association of Dermatologists issues warning about sunburn in the UK

To mark the British Association of Dermatologists’ Sun Awareness Week 2023 – which aims to raise awareness of the importance of sun protection and the dangers of skin cancer - the organisation has released worrying research into the sun habits of people in Great Britain.

According to a survey carried out by YouGov on behalf of the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD), 40% of British people got sunburnt at least once in the UK in 2022 - a year of record-breaking temperatures. Perhaps most concerningly, this percentage rose to more than half (56%) of young people aged 18-34.

The Association also analysed UV Index data for the UK in 2022, which measures the strength of UV rays at a specific time in a specific location. Once the UV index reaches 3, sun protection is recommended for people with lighter skin tones. Data supplied by the UK Health Security Agency shows that, except for the most northern parts of Scotland, between a third and half of days in the UK in 2022 had a maximum UV index of at least three.

This data has led BAD to reassert its recommendation that people should be using sun protection between at least April and September – not just in the summer – as well as improving their awareness of skin cancer. However, the research, which was released to mark BAD’s annual Sun Awareness Week (May 1-7) and surveyed 2163 adults, found that British people continue to be sun worshippers.

People in Great Britain are quick to take advantage of sunny days, with 76% of people saying that they would spend at least some time in the sun if they were not working. Moreover, 29% would aim to sunbathe at least some of the time, with 7% saying that they would sunbathe as much as possible.

A third of British people surveyed (33%) reported that they deliberately tried to develop a tan through sun exposure in 2022, either through deliberate sunbathing (21%) or spending time in the sun without sun protection (12%). Sunbathing was most popular amongst women, with a quarter (25%) saying that they sunbathed with the intention of tanning.

Of the people who deliberated tried to tan, 60% said they did it because it made them look healthy, 51% said that it made them look or feel more attractive, 27% did so to build up a base tan and 8% said they wanted people to know that they’ve been on holiday.

Moreover, although the UV index is the best measure available to show the risk of sun damage on any given day, 57% of people said they would rarely or never check it if in the UK, with only 19% of people often or always checking. The findings suggest that the dangers of skin cancer and the importance of sun protection, although more widely discussed, are still not the norm for British people.

That’s despite the latest skin cancer figures showing that there are 16,700 new melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK every year and more than 200,000 keratinocyte skin cancers (non-melanoma skin cancers).

In slightly better news, the research did find that sunbeds – which have been strongly linked with an increased skin cancer risk – were only being used by a small minority of people (3%). Usage also remains low in younger age groups, with 5% of 18-24-year-olds using them. Instead, artificial tanning products are more popular, being utilised by 7% of the people surveyed and specifically 11% of women.

“While 2022 was an extraordinarily hot and sunny year, the reality is that these extreme weather events are becoming more common,” reveals the president of the British Association of Dermatologists, Professor Mabs Chowdhury. “In some parts of the UK almost half the days last year had a peak UV index at or above the level at which sun protection is recommended for people with lighter skin tones. A mentality shift amongst the British public in terms of our behaviour in the sun is sorely needed.”

“We are already reaping what we have sown with years of complacency when it comes to excessive sun exposure; skin cancer is the most common cancer in the UK with more than a quarter of a million cases a year,” continued Chowdhury. “One in five people in this country will develop skin cancer in their lifetime – pretty grim odds.”

“Discussing the weather is famously a national pastime, but most people focus on temperature or rain, and fail to check the UV index regularly,” says Chowdhury. “I would urge everyone to check the UV index as a matter of course, particularly between April and September. If it is at 3 or above then I would urge people, particularly those with lighter skin tones, to take sun protection precautions. That means making use of shade, wearing clothing which will shade your skin, and using sunscreen that is at least SPF 30.”

The British Association of Dermatologists also has a wealth of resources to help you guide your clients on the best practice for sun protection and avoiding skin cancer. It includes advice on how to spot the signs of skin cancer and how to overcome misconceptions about Black individuals not needing to wear sun protection. For further information, visit www.bad.org.uk.