Overview

Skin cancer is a largely preventable disease, but the number of cases has more than quadrupled in theUKover the last thirty years.

Non malignant skin cancer is the commonest type of cancer in the UK, with an average of 48,000 new cases registered each year in Englandbetween 2004 and 2006.  The main risk factor for non-malignant skin cancer is sun (ultraviolet light) exposure[1].

Over the last 25 years, malignant melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, has seen the largest increase in incidence rates of all major cancers.  Malignant melanoma claims over 2,000 deaths every year and is now the second most common cancer in young adults in the UK[2].

Increased public awareness of the risk of excess sun exposure, combined with a change in behaviour towards greater skin protection, could reduce the incidence of non-malignant and malignant skin cancers.

Purpose

The growth in the incidence of skin cancer over the past thirty years is a clear sign of the need for public health campaigns.  The campaign is targeting all age groups.  The aim of the Sun Awareness Campaign is to:

• Provide information on the dangers of sunburn.
• Raise awareness of skin cancer and to encourage the public to protect their skin and their children's skin in the sun.
• Provide information on the dangers of excessive tanning and to discourage people from using sunbeds due to the associated risks of skin cancer.

Resources

The public health campaign pack will be made available to schools, children centres, one stop shops, public libraries, GP practices and health centres.  The pack includes a range of leaflets and posters.  The Sun Awareness Teaching Pack will be available to schools and the key messages of the sun awareness campaign will be advertised on the Life Channel through GP practices.

Further copies of the leaflets and posters can be obtained from the Public Health Resource Centre by returning the order form or by telephoning 0113 2953081.