Skin cancer facts

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK and the number of people who develop it is increasing. The majority of cases are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or sunbeds.

Malignant melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. It usually develops in cells in the outer layer of the skin. The first visible signs of this may be a change in the normal look or feel of a mole.

About 10,670 cases of malignant melanoma were diagnosed in 2007 in the UK and the incidence of melanoma has gone up by more than four times since the 1970s. Rates of melanoma have risen faster than for any other cancer in the UK, and if current trends continue, it is anticipated that there will be around 15,500 cases of malignant melanoma diagnosed per year within the next 15 years.

Most skin cancer deaths in the UK, about 2,070 each year, are from malignant melanoma. In fact, there are more skin cancer deaths in the UK than in Australia, even though Australia has more cases of the disease.

Melanoma is one of the few cancers to affect young adults and is the second most common cancer amongst 15-34 year olds. But a person's risk of developing melanoma increases with age.

More women than men develop malignant melanoma. Skin cancer can develop anywhere, but melanomas in women are most common on the legs and in men they are most common on the trunk. The images on the right show how common melanomas are on different areas of the body (percentages may not add up to 100% because of rounding).

Who is most at risk?

Anyone can develop skin cancer but some people are more likely to develop the disease. These people tend to have one or more of the following:

• fair skin that burns easily
• lots of moles or freckles
• a history of sunburn
• red or fair hair
• light-coloured eyes
• a personal or family history of skin cancer.

Remember, some sun is good for us, but make sure you protect your skin to avoid getting sunburnt.

What is sunburn?

If your skin has gone red in the sun, it's sunburnt. Sunburn doesn't have to be red-raw, peeling or blistering.

What is sunburn?

A sunburn is a clear sign that ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or sunbeds has damaged the genetic material in your skin cells - their DNA.

Damaged DNA can cause cells to start growing out of control. This can lead to skin cancer. Getting a painful sunburn just once every two years can triple the risk of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.

Your body's attempt to repair this damage is what causes the painful symptoms of a sunburn.

Check out Cancer Research UK's sunburn animation below for an illustration of what happens to your skin when you get sunburnt.

 

Why do sunburns peel?

Sometimes, the sun damages skin cells so severely that they must be destroyed. Peeling after sunburn is your body's way of getting rid of these damaged cells. This is necessary because cells damaged by the sun are at risk of becoming cancerous.

Although skin peels and new skin layers form, some damage may remain. This can increase your risk of skin cancer. So it is important to try to avoid burning in the first place.

Are sunburns like burns you get from touching something hot?

No, sunburns are caused by ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun, which does not feel warm. The heat in the sun comes from infrared rays, which do not burn your skin. This is why people can still burn on cool days.

Check out Cancer Research UK's sunburn animation below for an illustration of what happens to your skin when you get sunburnt.

When you touch a hot object, your skin may also become red, swollen and painful. But the DNA inside your skin cells is not damaged. Both heat burns and sunburns will fade, but only sunburns can cause lasting damage to the DNA in your skin cells. Check out our sunburn animation for more information on this.

Why are sunburns red, hot or painful?

When UV radiation damages DNA, your body tries to repair the damage. The blood vessels in the local area swell, allowing blood to rush into it. This is why sunburn looks red.

Blood inside your body is also hot, which is why it feels like sunburns give off heat - actually, they are usually no hotter than your core body temperature.

The wider blood vessels allow the cells of your immune system to travel to the site of the damage. They also release chemicals which trigger inflammation - this is why bad sunburns are swollen and painful.

How does the sun damage DNA?

There are two major types of UV rays that damage our skin

• UVB is responsible for the majority of sunburns and it can cause skin cancer.
• UVA penetrates deeper into the skin. It ages the skin, but contributes much less towards sunburn.

Recent evidence tells us that both UVA and UVB can damage DNA in the skin, which can lead to skin cancer. A third type of UV ray, UVC, is the most dangerous of all, but it is completely blocked out by the ozone layer and doesn't reach the earth's surface.

Is the DNA damage from the sun permanent?

Your body has ways of repairing most of the damage. But it is not perfect - some damaged DNA can be left behind. This is why it is important to avoid getting caught out by sunburn

Do I have to worry about sunburn in the UK?

Most people think of sunburn as something that happens on holiday or in hot, sunny places. But most cases of sunburn happen in the UK, rather than abroad.

And many cases happen when people are out and about, rather than deliberately 'sunbathing'. You may be outdoors watching sport, doing the gardening, walking round town or just sitting in the park.

How can I protect myself?

Get to know your skin and how it normally reacts in the sun. When your risk of burning is high you can use shade, clothing and at least SPF15 sunscreen to protect your skin

Winter sun

More Britons than ever are taking sunny winter holidays abroad. Going somewhere warm can be a great break when it's cold at home. But it's important to remember to protect yourself from over-exposure to UV rays when jetting off to find some winter sun.

Sunshine and skin cancer

Rates of malignant melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, have more than quadrupled in Britain over the last thirty years.

This kind of intense intermittent exposure can increase your risk of skin cancer.

Holiday tips for a SunSmart trip

As well as increasing your risk of skin cancer, sunburn on holiday is painful, embarassing and can make you feel unattractive. Protect your skin from strong sunshine abroad by following Cancer Research UK’s tips for a SunSmart trip.

Before you go:

• Choose your destination wisely - think carefully about beach holidays in sunny destinations if you have babies or very young children. In many popular destinations for winter sun the UV rays are much stronger than they are in the UK, so it's even more important to protect your skin.
• Check the UV index to help you to calculate the intensity of the sun's rays. Generally speaking, the higher the UV index, the higher your risk of sunburn. Short periods of intense exposure to strong sunlight (like you experience while sunbathing) can increase your risk of malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.

What to pack:

• Loose cotton clothing that will keep you cool and protect your skin.
• A sunhat to shade your face whilst on the beach or sightseeing.
• Sunglasses to protect your eyes.
• A beach umbrella or other shade structure - if you have room in your luggage!
• At least SPF 15 sunscreen. Buying tax-free sunscreen at the airport can save you money.

Whilst you're there:

• Work out the local solar noon. This is the middle point of the day between sunrise and sunset. The sun's rays will be strongest around this time so you will need to take extra care in the sun.
• Know the shadow rule. If your shadow is shorter than you are tall, take care to protect your skin from sunburn.
• Don't forget your hat, sunglasses and cover up clothing. This is particularly important if you're going to be out and about in the middle of the day.
• Put sunscreen on before you go outside. Keep a bottle with you at all times and top up regularly.
• Act like a local! Eat meals out of the sun and have a siesta or seek shade in the early afternoon.
• Take extra care with children
• If you do get sunburnt then cover up and stay out of the sun completely. Drink plenty of fluids and see a pharmacist for advice.

Above all, remember to enjoy the sun safely. Don't let sunburn ruin your trip!

If you work in the tourism industry then take a look at our web pages for tour operators.

Winter sports advice

Skiers and snowboarders need to take care on the slopes. Even though it may feel cold in the mountains, you can burn very quickly.

Sun on the slopes

At altitude there is less atmosphere to filter UV rays. With every 1000m , UV intensity increases by 10-12%. So your skin can burn more quickly on the slopes than at sea level.

Snow reflects around 85% of the sun's UV rays so you may burn in unusual places. Look out for the underside of your chin and your ears in particular.

Up to 80% of the sun's UV rays penetrate light clouds, and what gets through can reflect back and forth between the clouds and the snow. So even if it's cloudy it's important to protect yourself.

SunSmart tips for the snow

Cover up

The best way to protect yourself is by covering up with clothing. Try wearing a long-sleeved jacket with a zip-up collar, hat and gloves.

Protect your eyes

Wear wraparound sunglasses or goggles that offer 100% protection from UV. Most come with information about their UV protection, but check in the shop if you are not sure.

Goggles may be better for protecting small children's eyes as they are less likely to fall off at ski school!

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is handy for protecting the skin on your face that is still exposed. Choose one that is at least SPF 15 and protects from UVA and UVB rays (labelled 'broad spectrum'). Follow these tips:

• Apply sunscreen before hitting the slopes every morning and after lunch
• Reapply sunscreen frequently throughout the day as it can easily be rubbed or sweated off.
• Look out for handy little tubes of sunscreen that fit easily in a ski pocket

 

Detecting skin cancer

You may have some moles or dark patches on your skin that are flat or slightly raised. Usually these will remain harmless all your life.

But moles or patches of normal skin that change in size, shape or colour over weeks or months in adult life should be shown to your doctor.

What should I be looking out for?

Get to know your skin and look out for any changes. When checking your skin use the ABCD rule to help you remember the main warning signs for malignant melanoma.

Also remember to look out for other changes that might indicate less serious non-melanoma skin cancer.

The ABCD rule

If you notice any of the following signs, then see your doctor without delay.

Asymmetry The two halves of your mole do not look the same.

Border The edges of your mole are irregular, blurred or jagged.

Colour The colour of your mole is uneven, with more than one shade.

Diameter Your mole is wider than 6mm in diameter (the size of a pencil eraser).

Other signs of skin cancer

• a new growth or sore that won't heal
• a spot, mole or sore that itches or hurts
• a mole or growth that bleeds, crusts or scabs

What if I notice a change?

If you are concerned about skin changes then visit your doctor without delay.

Any change in a mole, freckle or normal patch of skin that occurs quickly, over weeks or months, should be taken seriously.

Sunbeds

• Sunbeds aren't a safe alternative to tanning outdoors. Like the sun, sunbeds give out harmful UV rays which damage the DNA in our skin cells and can cause skin cancer.
• Sunbeds are estimated to cause around 100 deaths from melanoma every year in the UK.
• Sunbeds also cause premature skin ageing, which means that your skin becomes coarse, leathery and wrinkled at a younger age. So when the tan fades, the damage remains.

Sunbed myths

People use sunbeds for all sorts of reasons. Here, we clear up a few of the most common myths.

Being tanned is not a sign of health

The simple fact that your skin has changed colour is a sign of damage. Without goggles, UV from sunbeds can also damage your eyes and lead to irritation, conjunctivitis and eye cancer.

Skin damage from sunbeds is just as big a problem for young people

You can't always see the damage that UV does straight away as it builds up gradually. But every time you use a sunbed you are damaging your skin, making it look worse in the long run. Using sunbeds for the first time before the age of 35 increases the risk of developing melanoma skin cancer by 75%. Surgical treatment for skin cancer can result in serious scarring.

Spending more time on sunbeds will not make your tan look any better

We each have our own tanning limits. No matter how much UV you receive there comes a point when your skin won't get any darker. Using sunbeds will make your skin coarse, leathery and wrinkled. Boosting your tan by having two sunbed sessions within 24 hours or after sunbathing is particularly harmful. Get your beauty sleep in your own bed, rather than on a sunbed.

Sunbed tanning is no safer than sun tanning

Sunbeds are not a 'safe' alternative to sun tanning. The main cause of skin cancer is overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Like the sun, sunbeds give off UVA and UVB rays. While sunburn is mostly caused by UVB, both types of UV can cause DNA damage, which can lead to skin cancer.

Modern sunbeds emit mostly UVA rays, but UVB rays can make up anywhere from 0.5-4% of their total output. These emissions can be comparable to the midday sun. And the amount of UVA given off can be 10-15 times higher than the midday sun. .

You cannot tan safely by building your sunbed tan gradually

Unfortunately, using sunscreen or limiting your time on a sunbed will not completely protect your skin from damage and ageing. In fact, short periods of intense, irregular UV exposure, like you get on a sunbed, are the fastest way to damage your skin.

A tan will not provide much protection from the sun on holiday

A tan offers very limited protection from sunlight or burning. At most, a sunbed tan is the equivalent to a sunscreen with SPF of just 2-4. Not enough to keep you safe in the sun. And if you don't tan easily in the sun, you won't tan easily on a sunbed.

You don't need to burn to get a tan

Burning or going red under a sunbed is a sign that you have seriously harmed your skin. UV can penetrate deep into the skin's layers and damage the DNA in our skin cells. Sunburn is your body’s attempt to repair that damage. Cells damaged by UV are at greater risk of mutating and then dividing uncontrollably, which is what happens in cancer.

You don't need a sunbed to produce vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for good health. Our bodies make the vitamin when our skin is exposed to UV rays and it is also present in certain foods. You only need short exposures to the sun to produce adequate amounts. So you don't need a sunbed to get your vitamins!

Who is most at risk?

People with fair skin that tends to burn are at higher risk of problems from sunbed use than those with darker skin. Young people also have delicate skin and are more likely to damage it by using sunbeds.

You should NEVER use a sunbed if you:

• are under 18
• have fair or freckly skin
• burn easily
• have a lot of moles
• have had skin cancer in the past
• have a family history of skin cancer
• are using medication that increases your sensitivity to UV.

Sunbed use in children

Cancer Research UK was commissioned by the National Cancer Action Team, supported by the Department of Health, to explore the extent and patterns of sunbed use among children in England. Some of the main findings of the research (published in the British Medical Journal, March 2010) included:

• More than one quarter of a million children aged 11-17 are risking their health by using sunbeds.
• In England, on average, six per cent of 11-17 year olds use sunbeds.
• In Liverpool and Sunderland 50 per cent of 15-17 year-old girls use sunbeds, and more than two in five use sunbeds at least once a week.

What is Cancer Research UK doing about sunbed use?

A ban in England and Wales is coming into effect on April 8th 2011 that will ban under 18s from using sunbeds. Cancer Research UK is proud to have been instrumental in getting this legislation passed which will protect children from the dangers of sunbeds.

Sunbed press releases

There has been a lot of coverage about sunbeds in the media. If you are interested in reading press releases from Cancer Research UK (or if you are a student looking for a quote on sunbeds) then take a look at the SunSmart 'Press release' section.