As summer is now upon us its time to think about how to get Sun Safe! Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, and too much sun can increase your risk. Exposure to sunlight can also affect your eyes.

In 2010, around 100,000 people were diagnosed with skin cancer in the UK. More than 12,000 of these cancers were malignant melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. Each year, around 2,200 people die from skin cancer.
Skin cancers are caused by damage from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Protecting the skin from the sun can help prevent these cancers.

How does the sun damage skin?
UV rays penetrate deep into the skin and damage cells. These cells are then at risk of becoming cancerous. You can’t feel UV damaging your skin and it happens even when the sun doesn’t feel hot.
Getting sunburnt causes the top layers of skin to release chemicals that make blood vessels swell and leak fluids. Skin turns red and feels hot and painful, and severe sunburn can lead to swelling and blisters.
Who’s at risk?
Skin cancer can affect anyone, but people most at risk have:

• fair skin that burns in strong sun
• red or fair hair
• a lot of moles or freckles
• a personal or family history of skin cancer
• already had sunburn, especially when young

People with naturally brown or black skin are less likely to get skin cancer as darker skin has some protection against UV rays. However, skin cancer can still occur.

NHS Choices has some great online advice about how to stay sun safe - click on the relevant link below:

• NHS Choices Sunsafe advice
• NHS Choice Sunsafe Q & A
• NHS Choices keeping your children safe in the sun

Summer health video wall