Skin Cancer Awareness Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK. Over 80% of skin cancers are caused by UV radiation, which is given off by the sun’s light rays (and tanning bulbs in sunbeds).
Be skin aware: Five ways to reduce your risk of developing skin cancer Here are five easy ways you can reduce your risk of developing skin cancer: 1. Seek shade The strength of UV radiation from the sun varies throughout the day and between seasons, as measured by the UV index. When the UV index is high, for example between 11am and 3pm, the sun’s rays are very powerful and can cause skin damage. During periods of high UV index forecasts, one of the best ways to protect your skin is spending time in the shade . Visit the Met Office website to find out the UV index in your area. 2. Cover up Areas which are regularly exposed to the sun, such as your shoulders, arms and face, are at an increased risk of sunburn and UV damage. Wearing loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing made from close-weave fabrics such as polyester or rayon, offers an effective barrier against the sun’s harmful UV rays. 3. Wear a hat As an area largely exposed to the sun, it is also possible to get skin cancer on your scalp. While a baseball cap covers your scalp and some of your face, it still leaves your neck, lower face and ears exposed. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat in a close weave, light-coloured fabric offers the best protection for all of the sensitive skin around your head area. 4. Wear sunscreen When choosing sunscreen, opt for SPF 30+ with a 4 star or 5 star UVA rating to provide sufficient protection from the sun. Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outside and reapply throughout the day every two hours. While sunscreen can help to shield you from UV radiation, you should never rely solely on sunscreen. Always try to use sunscreen together with protective clothing and shade. 5. Invest in quality sunglasses Not just a fashion statement, good quality sunglasses can also protect the delicate skin around your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Not sure what to look for? A small European CE mark on the frame indicates the lens meets minimum safety standards for UV protection.
As the main cause of skin cancer is harmful UV radiation, taking steps to protect your skin will help to prevent skin damage.
SkinCheck Our benefits partners, Check4Cancer, recommend staying skin safe by checking your skin, including moles, once a month. If you are concerned about the appearance of your skin or a mole, you can book a SkinCheck with one of their skin specialists today. To purchase this through My Barratt Benefits via salary sacrifice, please view the Check4Cancer microsite here. It is also available to the spouses, partners and children of employees over the age of 18 years. Knowledge and prevention is key to keeping safe in the sun. Did you know that skin cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and that 86% of Melanoma skin cancer cases are preventable?
For information, tools and links on many areas of health and wellbeing please click here to visit our My Barratt Benefits website