Sun Know How

The Sun Know How campaign has been developed by The Health Education Authority.Skin cancer is the second most common cancer in the UK. The number of new cases increases every year and has doubled in the past 20 years. The cause of skin cancer is nearly always over exposure to ultraviolet radiation - from the sun or a sunbed

Ultraviolet radiation is reflected off light coloured surfaces, especially water, sand and snow - this increases its strengthYou can still get sunburnt through light cloud or under shallow water - protect yourself when swimmingThere is nothing healthy about a suntan. Your skin darkens because it has been damagedMost cases of skin cancer could be easily prevented

PROTECT YOURSELF AND FOLLOW THE SUN SAFETY CODE

Cover Up - with loose, cool clothing to keep the sun off your skin. Wear a hat, preferably with a wide brim and sunglasses (BS2724:1987)Protect Children - they are particularly vunerable. Sunburn during childhood can lead to skin cancer later in life. Keep babies out of the sun completelySeek Shade - especially during the hottest part of the day, from 11am to 3pmUse a Sunscreen - SPF 15 or higher on any exposed skin. Use it an hour before going outside and reapply it frequently and generously

TAKE CARE NOT TO BURN - sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. BE AWARE OF YOUR SKIN.

If you have a mole that is changing size, shape, colour, itching or bleeding - see your doctor. If skin caners are treated early, they should cause you no further problems.

TAKE SPECIAL CARE:

of children and babies, they spend longer outdoors and burn easily
if you have very pale skin, fair or red hair
if you have a lot of moles or freckles
if you have had skin cancer before, or have a family history of it
if you work or spend a lot of time outdoors

FACT: Brown or black skinned people rarely get skin cancer, however they should still take careFACT: The sun also causes thickening of the skin leading to premature ageing and wrinklesFACT: Too much sun can also cause heat exhaustion, skin irritation and sun stroke - especially in the young.Enjoy the sun but take it easy - skin cancer kills approximately 2000 people every year in the UK.

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The strength of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation is expressed as a 'Solar UV Index', a system developed by the World Health Organization.

Forecasts include the effects of:

1. the position of the sun in the sky;
2. forecast cloud cover;
3. ozone amounts in the stratosphere.