Sun Awareness Week 2024

For most of us, there is nothing quite as nice as getting out in the sunshine – I know that I feel better when the sun comes out, and I love the feeling of the sun on my face. However I also have very fair skin, burn really easily and my kids have both inherited my delicate skin and my husband’s classic pale Irish complexion!

So sun protection has always been a really important issue for me.

Sunshine is not all bad – it helps the body produce vitamin D which is important for helping your kid’s bones to grow and stay strong, as well as helping to prevent osteoporosis later in life. I am so please to see that once again it is Sun Awareness Week in the UK. While sunburn may be unpleasant and uncomfortable, it can also lead to skin cancer.

Sun Awareness week is held each May in the UK.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and rates have been climbing since the 1960s. Sun damage which starts in childhood can lead to skin cancer later in life.

Sun Awareness Week is supported by the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) and the British Skin Foundation (BSF) and aims to get the message out about skin protection to prevent skin cancer happening.

For starters, here are BAD's tips for protecting yourself in the sun.

Sun Protection Tips

Spend time in the shade during the sunniest part of the day when the sun is at its strongest, which is usually between 11am and 3pm in the summer months
Avoid direct sun exposure for babies and very young children.
When it is not possible to stay out of the sun, keeping yourself well covered, with a hat, T-shirt, and sunglasses can give you additional protection. You can buy specialist children's sun protection clothing as well.
Apply sunscreen liberally to exposed areas of skin. Re-apply every two hours and straight after swimming or towelling in order to maintain protection.

So there you have it – keep covered up, stay out of the sun at the hottest time of day and don’t be stingy with the sun cream!

For more information about Sun Awareness Week visit skinhealthinfo.org.uk/sun-awareness/sun-awareness-week/

Stay Safe in the Sun - Sun Safety Colouring Picture

Checking for Skin Cancer

OK, this is the bit you don’t want to think about, but here are the BAD’s recommendations on how to spot if you might have skin cancer.

The following ABCD-Easy rules show you the skin changes that might indicate a 'melanoma', which is the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Asymmetry - The two halves of the area may differ in shape
Border - The edges of the area may be irregular or blurred, and sometimes show notches
Colour - This may be uneven. Different shades of black, brown and pink may be seen
Diameter - Most melanomas are at least 6mm in diameter. Report any change in size, shape or diameter to your doctor
Expert - If in doubt, check it out! If your GP is concerned about your skin, make sure you see a Consultant Dermatologist, the most expert person to diagnose a skin cancer. Your GP can refer you via the NHS.

Get The App

UV – Ultra Violet is the stuff that causes sunburn. The more the UV that your skin is exposed to, the more the danger of sunburn.

There are lots of apps available from Play Store for Android or Apple Store for iOS to tell you the UV levels predicted in your area. Many are available free of charge and can advise of the current UV index near you.

More Information About Sun Safety

If you want to find out more about sun protection for your kids and you, here are some really good resources:

The Cancer Research UK website has loads of information about sun protection, advice on use of sun beds and how to ensure you are getting enough vitamin D without getting sunburnt.
SunSmart is an Australian website (where sun exposure is an even bigger issue than it is here in the UK – according to their website, shockingly two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70) with advice for parents, schools, workplaces and schools.
SunSmart NZ is New Zealand’s advice on Sun Protection, with their campaign Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap – Slip on a long sleeved short and Slip into the shade, Slop on some sun cream, Slap on a hat, Wrap on sunglasses.
NHS Choices has lots of good advice about how to avoid sunburn and what to do if you or your children are sunburnt.

Now you can go ahead and enjoy your summer without sunburn. Stay safe in the sun.