Half admit getting too much sun
6th September 2010
Nearly half of us got sunburnt this summer - putting our health at risk in search of a tan, a study has revealed.
While mild exposure to the sun can boost the immune system and help the body produce vitamin D, the dangers of catching too many rays are well known.
Despite the increased risk of developing skin cancer, and the pain and discomfort of sore, damaged skin, 46% of people admitted they stayed in the sun too long over the holiday months.
One of the most common claims on travel insurance policies comes from medical expenses incurred after too much exposure to the sun. However, sun worshippers were unrepentant in their search for a tan, with most saying they would be willing to risk sun burn and sunstroke again next year to get a bronzed complexion.
About a third over those who did burn over the summer said they were trying to get a tan, the poll of 2,000 people showed.
More than one in three (34%) of those who were sunburnt said they would be a bit more careful next year but would still go out in the hope of getting a tan.
About 39% of those who were red said they burn every year, while 41% had not even been trying to get a tan but had not realised the sun was strong enough.
Around one in three of those who got sunburnt but had not wanted to tan had not taken any steps to protect their skin, such as covering up or using a high factor sunscreen.
The poll, from Superdrug and Cancer Research UK, found the most common place to get burnt was on the face, followed by arms, shoulders and neck.
Ed Yong, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: "Getting painful sunburn just once every two years can triple the risk of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer."
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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