As I write this blog we are enjoying our first day of glorious warmth and there are bright golden rays of sunlight streaming through my window. There is no denying that the lingering icy chill of winter spreading into Spring can leave us all feeling rather disgruntled; we crave the change in the season and long for summery, balmy days with all the sparkling rejuvenation of dappling sunlight warming our faces and brightening our lives.
Excessive sun exposure is the main cause of skin cancer, including melanoma, the fastest rising type of cancer in the UK. This exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun rays particularly from a young age, is the main cause of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer and also skin ageing. Exposure causing sunburn remains the most harmful with intermittent burning in childhood a particular risk factor. Frequent non-burning exposures are also damaging. People with fair skin that burns easily, many moles or freckles, red or fair hair and light-coloured eyes are most at risk.
Sun exposure is also the main source of vitamin D which is essential for good bone health. Enjoying the sun safely, while taking care not to burn, can help to provide the benefits of vitamin D without unduly raising the risk of skin cancer.
Sun Awareness is the British Association of Dermatologists’ annual campaign to raise awareness of skin cancer. The campaign runs from April to September annually and includes Sun Awareness Week in May. There are a whole range of tools and resources from sun surveys, World UV apps and leaflets and posters on sun awareness and sun safety available on the British Association of Dermatology website: http://www.bad.org.uk/for-the-public/sun-awareness-campagin