May usually marks the time to go to the closet and dust off the old bathing-suit. Many use the good weather to go on pampering holidays, and put the cold and rain behind while lying on a sunny beach or swimming in turquoise sea water.

However, sometimes a dreamy holiday like this can end with sore and red skin and everyone knows about your holiday as you can't hide the skin burn, that can often ruin the holiday itself.

This is why the Sun awareness week comes at such a good time, to remind you that along side the pleasure of the sun, there are also some risks that need to be taken in consideration. Although no one wants to hear the words "Skin cancer" when preparing to have some fun in the sun, unfortunately it is an important factor in sun exposure. MyHealthPortal readers shouldn’t get too grumpy – there is a way to enjoy all the benefits of holiday in the sun and still protect yourself! As always, the most important part is awareness.

Skin Cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK and 200 new cases are diagnosed every day! Melanoma is rising faster than any other type of deadly cancer and since the 1980's the number of cases has tripled. These numbers are frustrating if you take under consideration that over 90% of all skin cancers are preventable and are caused by sun exposure in addition to the use of sun beds. The damage this causes to the skin is permanent and irreversible.

The issue of sun awareness and prevention of skin cancer has relevance for all people of all ages, race and at all times of the year. Taking care in the sun will help to protect you from skin cancer.

Sunscreen use reduces the risk of sunburn, but does not reduce the exposure of UV Rays. Regular use of sunscreen during the first eighteen years of life is estimated to decrease the lifetime incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer by 78%. It is recommended that sun creams with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 be applied 15-20 minutes prior to exposure, with reapplication every two hours, or more frequently if sweated, rubbed or washed off. 

Make sure to take these precautions but especially to those younger members of your family – evidence demonstrates that sunburn in early childhood is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer later in life. Research has demonstrated that over a third of parents in the UK admitted that their child has been sunburnt, despite the majority knowing that over exposure to the sun causes skin cancer.