Over a third of under 25s spend more than five hours a day in the sun on holidays, hugely increasing their risk of skin cancer, a new report warns.
The survey has identified a worrying trend for ‘binge tanning’ among young people heading off on holiday this summer, according to Cancer Research UK.
The results, published to mark the start of Sun Awareness Week, reveal that 36 per cent of 15-24 year olds spend over five hours in the sun each day on their main summer holiday. Additionally, a third (32 per cent) say they would be happy to increase their time in the sun if they did not feel tanned enough towards the end of their break.
As well as spending extra time in the sun, young people say they are prepared to go to many other lengths if they do not feel tanned enough towards the end of their holiday. Almost a third (29 per cent) say they would use sunscreen with a low protection factor, with 19 per cent happy to go without sunscreen altogether and 15 per cent using products like baby oil to speed up the tanning process.
Worryingly, 17 per cent of those surveyed think that sunburn is all part of getting a tan, with 11 per cent saying they would be prepared to burn if they did not feel sufficiently tanned towards the end of their holiday.
Every single day in the UK, 200 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed, and it’s rising faster than any other type of deadly cancer, according to the British Skin Foundation. In 80 per cent of cases, it could have been avoided simply by protecting the skin from the sun.
“Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the primary cause of skin cancer and responsible for around 80 per cent of cases of melanoma, the most dangerous kind of skin cancer,” says Cancer Research UK dermatologist Professor Lesley Rhodes.
“In addition to the short term discomfort and impact on appearance, sunburn also causes permanent irreversible damage leading to premature ageing and significantly increases the risk of skin cancer. Put simply, the more time young people are spending in the sun, the more damage they are doing to their skin.”
Skin Cancer Information: Sun Tanning Risks
While the problem is particularly evident among the under 25s, 25-34 year olds also show a tendency towards ‘binge tanning’. Nineteen per cent of this age bracket admit to spending over five hours in the sun, with 16 per cent saying they would increase the amount of time they spent tanning towards the end of a holiday if they do not feel tanned enough.
The survey also showed just how important tanning is to young people. Of the under 25s surveyed, 39 per cent said they would feel upset if they came back from their summer holiday without a tan.
Rebecca Russell, SunSmart campaign manager at Cancer Research UK, says that what’s particularly worrying is the lengths young people will go to get a tan, including burning.
“Sunburn can double the risk of melanoma” she said. “People who spend their summer holidays outdoors should remember to enjoy their time safely and use sun protection – shade, clothing and factor 15+ sunscreen – to reduce their risk of skin cancer. If you really are desperate for a tan, the best option is to fake it – it’s the only way to get a tanned appearance without causing sun damage.”
How to Reduce Your Risk of Skin Cancer:
•Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm
•Make sure you never burn
•Aim to cover up with a T shirt, hat and sunglasses
•Remember to take extra care with children
•Use factor 15 plus sunscreen
•Report mole changes or unusual skin growths promptly to your doctor
Your skin type is in your genes, and it affects the way your skin will react to the sun, and how likely you are to develop skin cancer. To find out what sunscreen you should be using to protect your skin type, Click Here.
