SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH & SUN AWARENESS WEEK 2025
- Corazon Health
- May 1
- 12 min read
Creating sun safe workplaces and helping people to understand more about skin cancer.
ABOUT SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH & SUN AWARENESS WEEK
Whilst we need sun protection all year round, this is particularly important during the summer months when we spend more time outdoors and increase our exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is the main cause of most skin cancers. According to Skcin, 90% of skin cancers are preventable and almost always curable if detected early. That's why Skin Cancer Awareness Month and Sun Awareness Week (12th-18th) is the perfect opportunity for individuals and organisations to get on board with raising awareness about the risks of skin cancer, encouraging people to carry out regular skin self-examinations, and promoting sun safety ahead of the summer season.
ABOUT SKIN CANCER
There are various types of skin cancer, which can be divided into two categories: melanoma and non-melanoma. The main difference between both is the type of cell in which they develop and the pace at which they develop. Melanoma skin cancer develops from skin cells called melanocytes and it includes superficial spreading melanoma, nodular melanoma, lentigo maligna melanoma and acral lentiginous melanoma. Non melanoma skin cancer starts in the top layer of the skin and it includes basal cell skin cancer (BCC), squamous cell skin cancer (SCC), as well as other rare types like Kaposi’s sarcoma, cutaneous lymphoma, and sarcoma.
The biggest risk factor for skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet light (UV light). This can be through sunlight, or indoor tanning devices such as sunbeds. Other factors like age, Bowen’s disease, Actinic keratosis (AK), previous radiotherapy treatment, a weakened immune system, genetic conditions, and a family history of melanoma can also increase the risk of developing skin cancer.
Over 230,000 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer and around 17,500 cases of melanoma are diagnosed annually in the UK.
Symptoms of skin cancer can vary from person to person. Some people can experience noticeable changes in their skin such as:
Changes to a mole or freckle (in size, shape, or colour)
Red patches on the skin that might also be itchy
A new ulcer (sore) that bleeds and develops a crust, but isn’t healing
A new growth or lump with a raised border that bleeds and develops a crust, but isn’t healing
It is always important to book an appointment with the GP if you find anything unusual.
STAYING SAFE IN THE SUN
Spending some time in the sunshine is important for our overall health and wellbeing, as it helps our bodies to produce vitamin D. However, you should always protect your skin in the sun and take care not to burn, as research shows that sun damage greatly increases the risk of developing skin cancer. Moreover, excess sun exposure can lead to a range of other skin problems, such as photosensitive rashes, prickly heat, and worsening of already existing conditions like rosacea. Spending too much time in the sun in some cases can also cause heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
You should particularly take extra care in the sun if you:
have pale, white or light brown skin
have freckles
have red or fair hair
tend to burn rather than tan
have many moles
have skin problems relating to a medical condition
have a family history of skin cancer
"Being in the sun feels good but being out in the sunlight without adequate protection puts us at greater risk from skin cancer.”
-Kate Mayers, Macmillan Skin Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist
According to the Cancer Research UK, in the UK almost 9 in 10 cases of melanoma skin cancer could be prevented by staying safe in the sun. You can reduce your risk of sun damage and skin cancer by following five simple sun protection measures:
Sun Screen
Firstly, you should be aware that no sun cream provides complete protection so do not rely on sun cream alone to protect yourself from the sun. You should use a good quality sun cream that is at least SPF30. The sun protection factor (SPF) is a measure of the amount of ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) protection. SPFs are rated on a scale of 2 to 50+ based on the level of protection they offer, with 50+ offering the strongest form of
UVB protection. Also, make sure that the sun cream is broad spectrum and has an UVA symbol on it. The UVA star rating on the packaging ranges from 0 to 5 and it is recommended to use a sun cream with 4 or 5-star protection.
Apply the sun cream to all exposed skin 30 minutes before going out in the sun and reapply it at least every two hours, as the sun can dry it off your skin. It is recommended that adults should apply at least a teaspoon of sun cream to each arm, leg, front of body and back of body and at least half of a teaspoon to the face including the ears and neck. That is, approximately 35 ml of sun cream for one full body application. If the sun cream is applied too thinly, the amount of protection it gives is reduced.
It’s important to remember that even if you use water-resistant sun cream, you’ll still need to reapply it straight after you’ve been in the water. Water washes sunscreen off, and the cooling effect of the water can make you think you're not getting burned. Water also reflects ultraviolet (UV) rays, increasing your exposure
Most sun creams have a shelf life of two to three years when stored correctly. Many sun creams are labelled with an expiry date, check this before using. Also, some products may be labelled with the open jar symbol, the letter M and a number which indicates how many months the product will last once it has been opened. Sun cream that is out of date is likely to be ineffective and, as a result, can lead to sunburn. Also, there’s a greater risk that the product will react with your skin and cause irritation.
You should store the sun cream in a cool, dark and dry place when not in use to ensure the stability of the product. Exposure to heat and light may, after time, lead to some instability of the basic structure of the sun cream. Therefore, pay close attention to the texture, odour and colour of the product and discard it if it looks grainy, watery or discoloured, or if the smell has changed. It’s important to remember that even if you use water-resistant sun cream, you’ll still need to reapply it straight after you’ve been in the water. Water washes sunscreen off, and the cooling effect of the water can make you think you're not getting burned. Water also reflects ultraviolet (UV) rays, increasing your exposure.
For more information on sun cream, please visit British Association of Dermatologists website. You can also check out what are the most common myths and facts about sunbathing and sun cream on the Skcin website.
Clothing
Sunglasses
Shade
Hat
There’s a lot of misconception about the relationship between exposure to UV radiation and skin cancer, so you may want to read an article from Cancer Research UK which debunks some common myths about sun safety.
Treating sunburn
Sunburn is an acute inflammatory reaction that follows over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The symptoms of sunburn usually develop 2-6 hours after sun exposure and peak at about 12-24 hours. The skin can become hot, red, tender, swollen, and blisters may form. If you have sunburn, you should get out of the sun as soon as possible – head indoors or into a shady area. You should stay out of the sun until all signs of redness are gone. The following advice may help to relieve your symptoms:
Cool the skin by sponging it with cold water or by having a cold bath or shower. You could also apply a cold compress such as a cold flannel to the affected area.
Apply soothing after-sun cream or aloe vera spray. Avoid using creams or lotions that contain petroleum, benzocaine, or lidocaine.
Drink plenty of water to cool you down and prevent dehydration.
Take painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetamol for pain relief.
You can usually treat mild sunburn at home, although you should seek medical advice if:
your skin is blistered or swollen
your temperature is high (above 38c), or you feel hot and shivery
you feel very tired, dizzy and sick
you have a headache and muscle cramps
Severe sunburn can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can be very serious. Find out more about how to treat sunburn on the British Skin Foundation website.
SKIN SELF-EXAMINATION
By checking your skin for unusual moles, growths, or changes in your skin, you can detect skin cancer early. You should practice monthly head-to-toe self-examination of your skin and do it a well-lit space in front of a full-length mirror. Make sure you have a hand mirror, a blow dryer or comb so you can check all parts of your body including your scalp. Take a photo and make a note of any patches of skin that appear abnormal and how they look and feel.
In this video Dr. Nam Hunger-Nguyen explains how to look for the most common signs of melanoma skin cancer. The ABCDE checklist should help you tell the difference between a normal mole and melanoma.
The Skin Check Toolkit from Melanoma UK can provide you with further information on how to check your skin and self examination body mapping template from Skcin can help you track any suspicious changes. You may also want to download The Skcin App - a free, comprehensive, educational and self-management mobile application dedicated to the prevention and early detection of skin cancer. The app provides guidance on skin self-examination and can help you to track, monitor and compare changes to your moles.
If you notice any suspicious changes to an existing mole or you find a new mark on your skin, speak to your GP who will get it checked. If the GP suspects that your symptoms could be caused by a cancer, they will refer you to a dermatologist for a specialist diagnosis.
Sun safety in the workplace: Protecting your employees
On average 5 people every day (over 1,800 per annum) will be diagnosed with skin cancer in Britain as a direct cause of occupational sun exposure.
Employees who spend long periods working in the sun – especially those in construction, farming, horticulture, recreation, sports and public services – are particularly at risk of skin cancer. According to Skcin, outdoor workers are, on average at 60% greater risk of developing skin cancer due to the amount of time exposed to UV radiation.
The Health and Safety at Work Act states that there is a legal duty on every employer to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health of their employees. The Management of Health and Work Regulations also requires the employer to conduct a suitable assessment of the risks to the health of their workforce, including the risks from UV radiation. To comply with the law and ensure safe working environment for all employees, as an employer you should assess the risk associated with UV radiation, implement a sun protection policy, as well as provide information, training and supervision.
Risk assessment
The Risk Assessment will help you identify the level of risk for your outdoor workers based on environmental, work system and hazardous factors. The assessment should include a review of sun protection control measures that you already have in place and establish where areas of improvement can be made to lower risk. It's important that stress risk assessments are reviewed regularly after initial implementation to ensure the risks have not changed and that no further protective measures are needed.
HSE's risk assessment template can help employers to keep a simple record of who might be harmed and how, what has been already done to control the risks, what further action is needed, who is responsible for carrying out the action, and when it has to be completed.
A sun protection policy
Create and implement a comprehensive sun protection policy which outlines guidelines, procedures, and expectations for outdoor work. The policy should include the following key elements:
description of the hazards and main reasons for the policy
details of UV radiation protection control measures
information on education and training
an outline of who is responsible for implementation and monitoring
procedures for reporting UV radiation-related injuries and for managing non-compliance
It's important that once the policy is implemented, you should monitor and evaluate its effectiveness on regular basis and make any necessary changes if required. Employees should be aware that the policy exists and you should also ensure that management is well informed and confident to deal with questions about the policy.
Sun protection measures
Reduced exposure to UV radiation can be achieved by making physical changes to the work environment and work procedures, as well as providing adequate sun protection equipment to employees. Some sun protection measures can include:
Providing shade: Consider permanent or portable structures, which can be easily erected and adapted. Choose shade that blocks as much of the sky as
possible and look for shade fabrics that offer UV protection. In general, the larger the structure that is providing shade, the more protection it offers. You can also try to take advantage of existing shade at the worksite, such as buildings, trees
and other structures and relocate some of the work there. Even if it is difficult for work to occur in the shade, you should ensure that the shade is provided during breaks, especially lunch breaks.
Tinting vehicle windows: Clear or tinted films applied to the side windows can
substantially reduce the amount of UV radiation transmitted into a vehicle. The level of protection varies with different products, therefore it's important to check it with the supplier.
Changing outdoor working schedules: Move outdoor tasks into shaded areas, where possible and plan work routines so outdoor tasks are carried out earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon, when UV radiation levels are lower. Also, share outdoor tasks and rotate employees so the same person is not always exposed to the sun for long periods of time.
Providing personal protective equipment (PPE): Provide employees with sun-protective work clothing and hats with a UPF50+ rating, sunglasses or UV-protective safety glasses, sunscreen that is at least SPF30, as well as UV-protective lip balm. When choosing sun protection PPE, consider the type of outdoor work being performed. Remember that sun protection PPE should always be used in combination with other control measures where possible.
Education and training
Raising awareness of skin cancer among staff and providing training on the importance of sun safety and skin-self examination is essential to the success of a workplace sun protection programme. Use a variety of training methods and resources such as guest speakers, webinars, tool box talks, newsletter articles, onsite sessions, newsletter articles, poster displays, educational brochures and leaflets, a health and safety noticeboard, as well as reminders via meetings and emails. You may also use incentive programmes, role modelling, company events and competitions to raise awareness about sun safety.
Below resources may help you promote sun safety among your staff:
Sun safety leaflets and posters from The British Skin Foundation
Awareness resources like booklets, app, posters and social media graphics from Skcin
Understanding advanced melanoma, Understanding melanoma: surgery to remove a melanoma, Understanding melanoma: Tests and treatments after surgery to remove a melanoma, and Understanding non-melanoma skin cancer booklets from Macmillan Cancer Support
Skin Cancer Education video from University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS
It's also worth highlighting that employees also have a duty to take care of their own health and safety and cooperate with employers’ efforts to improve health and safety in the workplace. To work safely in the sun, staff must follow workplace sun protection policies and procedures, attend training and follow advice provided, as well as use supplied sun protective equipment as instructed.
As an employer, you play a crucial role in helping to mitigate the long-term risks of sun exposure and protecting your employees. In order to create an effective sun protection programme in the workplace, you should conduct a risk assessment, put a sun protection policy in place, introduce control measures and provide appropriate training to your staff. Through these initiatives, you can not only reduce the risk of employees suffering from UV radiation-related ill health, but also contribute to creating a safe workplace environment for all and demonstrate your commitment to the health and wellbeing of your staff.
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