Even in the North West you need to wear sunscreen!
When the sun’s out, there’s nothing better than spending time outside with family and friends. However, it’s important we all know and remember how to enjoy the sun safely.
Whether sunny or cloudy, remember to wear at least SPF 30
The weather up North can be unpredictable, so it’s only natural that we want to make the most of it when it’s warm and dry.
But whether it’s sunny or cloudy, UV rays can still cause damage to young and old skin and increase your risk of developing skin cancer.
That’s why it’s so important to remember how to enjoy days out in the North West and North Wales safely. This is especially true for adults, who can sometimes spend so much time teaching young children the importance of sun safety that they forget about it themselves.
Knowing how to protect yourself
There are things we can all do to protect ourselves and reduce our risk of skin cancer, for example:
- Use a high-factor sunscreen of at least SPF30 and reapply it regularly, even on cloudy days between May and October
- Wear light, long sleeve clothing along with a sunhat and sunglasses
- Try to limit your time in the sun between 10am and 3pm
- Avoid the use of sunbeds and sunlamps
- Regularly check your skin for changes or discolouration, new moles or freckles.
That’s why it’s so important to wear at least SPF30 and follow our tips to enjoy the sun safely, even in the North West and North Wales!
Across our region, the prevalence of skin cancer is 13% higher than the national average.
Liverpool has the highest levels of melanoma across the North West, with an incidence rate 35% higher than the rest of England.
Cumbria also experiences high rates of melanoma, with reported cases at a rate 33% higher than that experienced nationally.
That’s why we continue to put our region’s cancer needs first and remind everyone enjoying days out in the North West to wear at least SPF30, whether sunny or cloudy!
