Sunscreen warning as instances of pores and skin most cancers are set for report excessive

Cases of melanoma skin cancer are expected to reach a record high in the UK this summer, with experts issuing a warning to sunworshippers.

Rates of the cancer, which is usually caused by too much exposure to the sun, have increased by almost a third in a decade.

And with summer holidays approaching, research has suggested that 20,800 cases can be expected this year.

The figures revealed by Cancer Research UK have prompted an appeal for people to use high-factor sunscreen, spend time in the shade and cover up rather than risk sunburn. The research also highlights the dangers of using a sunbed to get a tan before going on holiday.

Older age groups have had the highest rises in sun-linked skin cancer rates, with a 57 per cent increase in those over the age of 80 in the decade to 2019.

Figures revealed by Cancer Research UK have prompted an appeal for people to use high-factor sunscreen, spend time in the shade and cover up rather than risk sunburn (Stock Photo)

Experts believe many people are suffering from years of sunbathing after cheap package holidays boomed in popularity in the 1960s, when the risks were not so widely understood. Younger generations are well aware of the link between UV radiation and cancer, but there has been a 7 per cent increase in cases in people aged 25 to 49.

Around 17,000 melanoma cases in the UK could be prevented every year, according to the researchers, with almost nine in ten caused by excess UV rays.

Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, described the figures as ‘concerning’. She said: ‘Survival from cancers including melanoma continues to improve. But it’s vital that people try to reduce their risk of getting the disease in the first place.

‘Contact your GP if you notice any unusual changes to your skin – whether a new or changing mole, a sore that doesn’t heal, or an area of skin that looks out of the ordinary.

‘Spotting cancer early can make all the difference.’

Although cases have boomed, so too have survival rates over the past 50 years. Today, almost 90 per cent of people diagnosed with the cancer in England will survive for ten years or more.

With warmer weather expected, experts have advised spending time in the shade between 11am and 3pm, covering up, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and slapping on sunscreen of at least factor 30.

The research also highlights the dangers of using a sunbed to get a tan before going on holiday (Stock Photo)

Dr Claire Knight, of Cancer Research UK, said: ‘Getting sunburnt just once every two years can triple the risk of developing skin cancer. Whether you are abroad or here at home, it’s important to protect yourself.

‘Remember, sunburn doesn’t only happen when it’s hot – it can happen on cloudier days too.’

Last month, it was revealed that the first personalised mRNA jab for melanoma is being tested in British patients.