RESIDENTS are being urged to stay safe in the sun as part of a new awareness campaign.
Sun Awareness Week runs from Monday to Sunday (May 5 to 11) and Macmillan Cancer Support is promoting the importance of people looking after their skin as well as looking out for the signs and symptoms of cancer and malignant melanoma.
Last year research by the charity showed 40 per cent of people in the UK burned their skin in the sun on purpose to deepen their tan, despite the fact getting a painful sunburn just once every two years can triple the risk of skin cancer.
The poll also showed ten per cent of people were planning to sunbathe without any sun tan lotion.
The number of people with malignant melanoma is on the rise with around 35 people across the UK being diagnosed every day.
Charlotte Gray, a Macmillan skin cancer nurse specialist covering Worcestershire, said: “It’s really worrying so many are willing to put themselves at risk in this way, sunburn will cause serious damage to your skin which can lead to cancer.”
Residents are advised to use a high factor sun tan lotion, wear hats and sunglasses and stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm.
Anyone with unusual marks on their skin such as a lump or scaly patch that lasts for more than a few weeks or a mole that changes size, shape, colour, crusts or bleeds should visit their GP.
Anyone with worries or concerns about skin cancer should contact Macmillan on 0808 808 00 00.
