Know your risk of skin cancer
Some people have a greater risk of skin cancer. Those with a higher risk tend to have one or more of the following:
- fair skin that burns in strong sun
- red or fair hair
- lots of moles or freckles
- a personal or family history of skin cancer
- experience of sunburn, especially when young.
These people need to take extra care when they're out and about in the summer sun.
Know your risk of sunburn
Sunburn can double your risk of skin cancer. So it's important to avoid burning by protecting yourself from the sun.
You are more likely to burn easily if you have light coloured skin, red or fair hair and blue eyes. The darker your skin is naturally, the more protection you have.
What can you do about risk?
To work out when you need to protect yourself in the summer sun, get to know your skin type and check the UV index.
In this section you can:
- find out what skin type you are
- learn about the UV Index
- discover how to work out your burn risk
- read about vitamin D.
This information will help you decide when to think about sun protection.
Early warning signs of skin cancer
Even if you take precautions in the sun it still a good idea to be aware of any changes to your skin.
Skin cancer often first appears as a change in a mole or a patch of normal skin. If you notice a change then visit your doctor without delay.
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