Cases of the most serious form of skin cancer have reached a record high in Britain, prompting urgent sun safety warnings ahead of an expected heatwave. New data from Cancer Research UK (CRUK) reveals that annual new melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK have risen above 20,000 for the first time. The charity is urging people to protect themselves as temperatures are forecast to reach 33°C in parts of the country this bank holiday weekend.
Record Numbers and Risk Factors
The latest figures show that 20,980 people were diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer annually. Nearly nine in ten melanoma cases in the UK are caused by excessive UV radiation from the sun and sunbeds. Women are more likely to be diagnosed at younger ages, while men face higher rates later in life. Overall increases reflect the UK’s growing and ageing population, driven by more sun exposure, including sunbathing and sunbed use.
CRUK estimates that the number of people diagnosed with the most serious form of skin cancer could reach over 26,000 a year by 2040, representing a 23% rise in men and a 26% rise in women.
Government Action on Sunbed Use
In response, the Government has announced plans for mandatory age checks to prevent children using sunbeds. A 12-week consultation on a new law requiring ID checks is launching as part of the National Cancer Plan. Businesses making dangerous claims, such as that sunbeds aid weight loss or prevent sunburn, would be banned. Public Health Minister Sharon Hodgson stated: “Sunbeds cause cancer and yet children as young as 14 are still accessing them illegally. That is not acceptable.”
Under-18s are already barred from using sunbeds, but teens often bypass rules via contactless systems. The new proposals would require staff presence and ID checks, plus mandatory health warnings.
Sun Safety Tips
CRUK has partnered with NIVEA Sun to share three key tips for staying safe this bank holiday weekend:
- Seek shade – especially between 11am and 3pm in the UK. Take breaks under trees, umbrellas, or canopies, or go indoors.
- Cover up – with clothes, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-protection sunglasses. Clothing should cover your shoulders; the more skin covered, the better.
- Apply sunscreen – with at least SPF 30 and four or five stars. Reapply regularly and generously, especially after swimming, sweating, or towelling.
CRUK head of health Fiona Osgun emphasised: “Sunburn is a clear sign your skin has been damaged. Whether you are enjoying being outside abroad or at home, it’s important to protect yourself from the sun. Sunburn doesn’t only happen when it’s hot – it can happen on cooler or cloudier days too.”
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England’s Clinical Director for Cancer, added: “Sunbeds are not a harmless shortcut to a tan - we know they are a cancer risk, and under-18s should not be using them at all.”
For older men, higher rates may be linked to long-term sun exposure, but the charity noted that overdiagnosis could also play a role. CRUK chief executive Michelle Mitchell concluded: “Whether it is a new or changing mole, a sore that doesn’t heal, or an area of your skin that looks out of the ordinary, it's important to get it checked out. It probably won't be cancer, but if it is, getting it diagnosed and treated early can make all the difference.”
