A major cancer charity has made an urgent plea to the public about staying safe in the sun, after research revealed half of people in the UK get burnt at least once a year.

It means up to 34 million people could be doubling their risk of developing melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer.

It takes a scarily low number of sunburns, only five, to make you vulnerable to the condition that kills more than 2,000 people in the UK every year. 

A new study, by charity Melanoma Focus, found that younger age groups are at the highest risk, with 65 per cent of 18 to 32-year-olds burning their skin annually.

The poll, of 2,000 people in the UK aged over 16, also found more than a third of people fail to apply sunscreen regularly during hot weather. 

Meanwhile, one in 10 don’t use it at all. 

Men were most guilty of ditching the important measure, with 42 per cent of them dodging SPF altogether.

Hannah Lowery, 32, from Redcar in Yorkshire, was diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in July 2024. 

It takes a scarily low number of sunburns, only five, to make you vulnerable to melanoma¿the most deadly form of skin disease

It takes a scarily low number of sunburns, only five, to make you vulnerable to melanoma—the most deadly form of skin disease

The diease is ‘not worth it for a tan’, she said. 

‘My parents were strict about me wearing sunscreen when we were abroad but, as a teenager, I didn’t use it in the UK and I used to burn quite a lot.

‘Last year I went to my GP because I had two moles on my neck which I noticed had changed shape. I was sent for an urgent referral and it turned out I had melanoma and both moles had to be removed.

‘I was very lucky that the melanoma hadn’t spread but it was a terrifying experience. I was only 31 and I had a two year old son. It’s really not worth it for a tan.’

Melanoma Focus warned the findings were ‘extremely concerning’ given that melanoma rates continue to soar in the UK.

There are around 17,500 new cases in the UK every year, making it the fifth most common cancer in the country.

Susanna Daniels, the charity’s chief, said: ‘This data is extremely concerning as we know that more than five sunburns in your lifetime doubles your risk of melanoma, so burning every year has potentially long-term dangerous consequences. 

‘Nearly 9 in 10 melanomas are preventable yet the UK has more deaths from melanoma per year than Australia. 

‘It is essential that everyone understands the risks associated with sunburn and prioritises sun protection by using factor 30+ sunscreen, wearing a hat, seeking shade and covering up in the heat of the day.’

One in 35 men and one in 41 women in the UK will now be diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in their lifetime. Signs of skin cancer range from innocuous to obvious, but experts warn that treating cases early is key to making sure they do not spread or further develop

One in 35 men and one in 41 women in the UK will now be diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in their lifetime. Signs of skin cancer range from innocuous to obvious, but experts warn that treating cases early is key to making sure they do not spread or further develop

Comedian Katherine Ryan revealed that she received a second diagnosis of melanoma skin cancer in March this year.

Comedian Katherine Ryan revealed that she received a second diagnosis of melanoma skin cancer in March this year.

One in 35 men and one in 41 women in the UK will now be diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in their lifetime. 

The charity’s experts recommend applying sunscreen regularly and wearing at least SPF 30 on warm days to avoid skin damage.

The most harmful type of sunrays are UVB which hit the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis) and cause the most sunburn, as well as UVA rays which penetrate much deeper and contribute to ageing. 

Both are ultraviolet, which means they cause skin cancer.

A worrying 90 per cent of skin cancer cases in the UK are a direct result of sunburn and using sunbeds, according to Cancer Research.

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