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As temperatures are soaring this week and Thursday is predicted to be the hottest day of the year so far, a survey reveals almost a quarter of women in the UK won’t be wearing any sun tan lotion.
According to a poll by Macmillan Cancer Support of 1,500 women aged 18 plus even on a sunny day, a shocking 23% of women don’t wear protective lotion when they’re in the UK. This leads to increased risks of skin cancer.
And of those who will be wearing sun tan lotion in the UK, a staggering 83% will not be applying it correctly* and nearly a third (31%) will be wearing factor 10 or under. Macmillan recommends that an adult should wear at least an SPF of 15.
Carol Goodman, a Macmillan Information Nurse specialist, says:
“As the British summer is finally beginning, it is concerning that so many women won’t be wearing protective lotion. Even those who will be using it won’t be protected the way they think they are. You are just as likely to get burnt in the UK as abroad, and as over 2,500 people die of skin cancer every year, it is a real issue. Adults should be wearing a thick visible layer of at least factor 15. Fair-haired people and children should be wearing much higher factors.”
Skin cancer can be as dangerous as any other types of cancer. If you have any concerns or questions visit www.macmillan.org.uk/skin| or call 0808 808 00 00.
Sarah Whiteley, Media & PR Officer 020 7840 4933 (out of hours 07801 307 068) swhiteley@macmillan.org.uk|
* A thick layer on all skin that is exposed to the sun
Source: Macmillan Cancer Support / Toluna Group Ltd (Feb-March 2012). A survey of an online panel of 1,500 women aged 18 plus, from across the UK, was conducted on behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support. Fieldwork was undertaken between 28th February - 2nd March 2012. The figures have not been weighted.
2,751 people in the UK died from skin cancer in the UK in 2010. Source: Office for National Statistics; Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland; Northern Ireland Cancer Registry
Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer, providing practical, medical, emotional and financial support. Working alongside people affected by cancer, Macmillan works to improve cancer care. More than one in three of us get cancer. Two million of us are living with it. If you are affected by cancer Macmillan can help.