North West Cancer Research calls on visitors to GreenWood Family Park to ‘block the sun, not the fun’

North West Cancer Research is rallying children across the region to remind grown-ups to stay safe in the sun… both at home and abroad.

This week, the charity’s latest campaign Block the Sun, Not the Fun made its way to GreenWood Family Park in North Wales, to encourage visitors to ensure they apply sunscreen even when staying in the UK, to help reduce their risk of developing skin cancer.

Through in-depth interviews, North West Cancer Research has found that parents in the region are not as stringent with their own sun safety measures as they are with their children’s – leaving them exposed to the risks of skin cancer.

At GreenWood Family Park, North West Cancer Research gave out free samples of SPF30 sunscreen and chatted with visitors about their current sun safety habits, and what they can do to protect themselves from skin cancer in the future

Steven Lester, Operations Manager at GreenWood Family Park, said: “It was great to welcome North West Cancer Research to GreenWood Family Park today to help our visitors to understand the importance of keeping yourself protected in the sun.”

“We want our visitors to have fun and enjoy everything the park has to offer, from our exhilarating rides to the animals and other experiences, but it’s really important that they are wearing sunscreen and protecting themselves from sun exposure, even when it’s cloudy.”

North West Cancer Research is planning to pop up at several family fun hotspots across the region throughout the summer. These include Tatton Park in Cheshire on 9 August; Cheshire Ice Cream Farm on 16 August; and Hoghton Tower on 18 August.

Among those backing the campaign is mum-of-two Martina Franey, who was diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer in 2020, after noticing a small, itchy lesion on her back.

She was quickly diagnosed with Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), which is the most common form of skin cancer.  

Martina, 54, from Wirral, said: “Growing up in the 1970s and 80s, it was almost the norm to get sunburnt which we believed would then create a ‘base’ for your tan. Of course, we now know just how harmful this is but, back then, there was very little awareness of wearing sunscreen to protect ourselves.

“Even when my children were younger, I would be super vigilant in covering them up and making sure they weren’t exposed too much to the sun, but would often forget about myself, especially when at home in this country.

“Having had non-melanoma skin cancer has highlighted just how important it is to wear sunscreen daily, whether it’s sunny or cloudy. Luckily, my condition was treatable but I know how much worse it could have been and I now want to ensure I’m protecting myself for the future and preventing any further diagnoses.”

Block the Sun, Not the Fun encourages everyone to wear a sunscreen of at least SPF30 and reapply it regularly, even on cloudy days.

The campaign also highlights the importance of limiting time in the sun between 10am and 3pm and wearing a sunhat and sunglasses.

There are two types of skin cancer – melanoma and non-melanoma. Both types are more common in older people, although melanoma has a higher percentage of younger people being diagnosed. 

Common symptoms include moles changing in shape or size or new ones appearing.  

Non-melanoma skin cancer is usually associated with those who spend a lot of time in the sun and is most commonly recognised by a lump or discoloured patch of skin that doesn’t disappear and slowly progresses over months or years. 

Alastair Richards, CEO North West Cancer Research, who has also had skin cancer, said: “Across the region, we have higher than average rates of skin cancer – but this trend is one that can be changed if everyone takes the necessary steps to protect themselves.

“As a charity, we are dedicated to tackling the issue of cancer in our area, funding vital research into treatments and preventative measures to create a future that is free from cancer.

“Until then though, it’s important that local people take notice of campaigns like Block the Sun, Not the Fun, and take preventative measures, such as wearing SPF, to significantly reduce their risk of developing skin cancer.”

For further information about the campaign and North West Cancer Research, visit: https://nwcr.org/blockthesun