Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK, experiencing severe sunburn particularly in childhood increases the risk of developing skin cancer later in life!
Applying a sunscreen with at least a factor SPF 30 and above, is recommended with a UVA (European marking) symbol, or at least a 4-star rating. Apply generous amounts to clean dry exposed skin. Apply your sunscreen 20 – 30 minutes prior to exposure to the sun, even on cloudy days! Keep your sunscreen topped up throughout the day and reapply at least every 2 hours. This needs to be more frequent if sweating or swimming, even if the product states it is water resistant!
Don’t rely on sunscreen alone, no sunscreen provides absolute protection! It should be used with other lines of defence to protect your skin, including a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses, that are close fitting and have the European CE mark. Seek out the shade between the hours of 11-3pm. Children under 6 months should be kept out of strong, direct sunlight.
If you would like to contact the skin cancer CNS team with any further questions, please call ex 2062 or email skincancerCNSteam@lthtr.nhs.uk
