Experts have voiced concern as the new data released today reveals that 34% of people in Northern Ireland don't use sunscreen despite most (64%) burning at least once per year.
The data from national charity Melanoma Focus also found that 27% of people living in Northern Ireland have used sunbeds, a known cause of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.
Men were particularly reluctant to use sunscreen with 40% saying they rarely or never use it in the UK and only 8% reporting always using it. When asked why they don’t use sunscreen the majority (39%) said it’s because they don't expect to burn.
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This is despite 64% of people in Northern Ireland reporting that they got sunburned at least once per year.
Melanoma skin cancer is a serious and potentially fatal condition, yet the charity warns that people in the UK are often ignoring the dangers posed by prolonged exposure to the UV rays. It's becoming more common in the UK with around 16,700 new cases every year or 46 every day.
The vast majority (86%) of melanoma skin cancer is preventable yet the new data shows that as well as many not wearing sunscreen, a third of people in Northern Ireland (31%) think that a sunscreen below SPF 30 is the minimum needed for skin protection and 20% said they didn’t know what the minimum was.
The survey also found that 27% of people in Northern Ireland have used sunbeds despite 82% knowing that they increase the risk of skin cancer. Sunbed use was highest among British 26-35 year olds at 40%.
Susanna Daniels, CEO of Melanoma Focus, said: “About seven people die from melanoma every day in the UK and more people die from melanoma in the UK than in Australia. The fact that people are continuing to ignore the warnings and not take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from skin cancer is concerning.
“About 9 in 10 melanoma skin cancer cases are preventable and it is vital that people take the warnings about the dangers of excessive sun exposure and the dangers of sunbed use seriously.
“Sunbeds can be incredibly dangerous and it’s concerning that their use is so popular in the UK. The best way to protect yourself from the dangers of sunbeds is to avoid them altogether and use high-factor sun protection, along with seeking shade and wearing a hat when in the sun.”
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