A new awareness campaign 'Give your skin a good FEEL' is launched in UK to address the need to check your skin for changes as a result of sun damage. The campaign highlights that importance of both looking and FEELing the skin for changes
A new survey shows that over half of people (57%) in the UK have experienced sun overexposure this year, despite the wet and cool summer.
Those polled have noticed pink or redness to their skin (33%), sun marks where clothes had been (31%), with others experiencing skin that was sensitive (15%) or painful to the touch (8%). The poll showed that the majority (74%) of people experienced these signs of sun damage whilst in the UK, demonstrating that even a small amount of sunshine can cause damage to the skin.
Despite high numbers of people experiencing discomfort (35%) caused by sun overexposure and their concerns with sun damaged skin (28%) or skin cancer (15%), the poll shows what little effort people are taking to protect themselves from the sun. A third (34%) of those polled stated they either never apply sunscreen, or rarely do so, and over a quarter (29%) have not used any form of sun protection to prevent skin damage this summer. Worryingly almost one in five (19%) see sunburn as a natural part of the tanning process. The poll also highlights a staggering eight in ten people (83%) have been sunburnt at some point in their lives.
Sun-induced skin damage can take years to develop.
The facts:
– Each year there are more new cases of skin cancer in the UK than breast
and lung cancers combined.
– Non-melanoma skin cancers are over 8x more common than those associated with
moles,and account for around a third of cancers detected in the UK.[5] [EN ]
– There are around 100,000 cases of non-melanoma skin cancers reported in the UK
each year.
– The risk of developing skin cancer, may be increased by sun exposure and a
history of sunburn.
Dr John Lear, Consultant Dermatologist at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, commented, “The effects of overexposure to the sun are apparent, it’s critical for everyone to be more aware of the risks associated with sun damaged skin.” This new survey data suggest that people are not taking the necessary precautions to reduce their exposure to the sun. Dr Lear added “It’s important to remember that it’s not just the Summer months you should be thinking about your skin and sun damage, UV levels can be high and catch people unaware throughout the year.”
A new awareness campaign ‘Give your skin a good FEEL’ is launched in the UK to address the need to check your skin for changes as a result of sun damage. The campaign highlights that importance of both looking and FEELing the skin for changes, as some important warning signs of sun damage are easier to feel than see – not all sun damage is related to moles. One of these warning signs is solar keratosis, a potentially pre-cancerous skin condition caused by overexposure to sunlight. Solar keratosis is often a scaly or sandpapery patch of skin that is not always easy to see, however is far easier to FEEL.
The campaign has been launched by LEO Pharma in partnership with a key national skin cancer-specific charity, the Karen Clifford Skin Cancer charity (Skcin). Charlotte Fionda, Director of Skcin, says, “Sadly, public awareness of the dangers of overexposure to UV light is very poor. We hope the launch of this campaign will encourage people to be skin savvy, to read up on the subject and visit the campaign website http://www.checkskinchanges.com for practical advice.”
Celebrity and TV host Amanda Holden adds her support for the campaign, “Despite being in the public eye, it is surprising how easy it is to miss changes to your skin. I believe it is vital that we do everything we can to ensure that people recognise the signs of sun damaged skin and skin cancer. This new campaign highlights the importance of regularly looking and feeling for changes to your skin.”
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
