Skin cancer warning for young

• Melanoma is a cancer that usually starts in the skin, either in a mole or in normal-looking skin. About half of all melanomas start in normal-looking skin.
• The number of people developing melanoma is continuing to rise. More than 10,600 people in the UK are diagnosed with melanoma each year.

• Melanoma is more common in women, particularly young women. In the UK it’s the most common cancer in people aged 15–34.
• In women the most common place to develop melanoma is on the legs; in men it’s on the chest and the back.

New laws on sunbeds came into force on April 8th 2011. These laws prevent under-18s in England and Wales from using sunbeds and punish businesses that fail to comply with the regulations.

The Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010 is designed to protect under-18s from overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is the main cause of skin cancer

Under the new regulations, under-18s are now banned from using tanning salons and sunbeds at beauty salons, leisure centres, gyms, hotels and other premises.

It is now illegal to offer an under-18 the use of a sunbed, and young people are no longer allowed in areas that are reserved for sunbed users.

Businesses that fail to comply with the regulations and allow under-18s to use sunbeds will face fines of up to £20,000, and local authorities will be responsible for inspecting businesses and enforcing the Act.

• Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun - People who experience episodes of sunburn, especially where the skin blisters, are more at risk. It’s important for everyone to be aware of the damage that too much exposure to the sun can cause.

• Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun - People who experience episodes of sunburn, especially where the skin blisters, are more at risk. It’s important for everyone to be aware of the damage that too much exposure to the sun can cause.

• Over the last 20 years, the incidence rate of malignant melanoma in 15-24 year olds in the UK has increased by around half (48 per cent).
  
• Malignant melanoma is also one of the most common cancers among young women (aged 15 - 24), making up 16% of the total number diagnosed.

• In 2010 in the UK, 12,818 new cases of malignant melanoma were diagnosed and almost 100,000 non-melanoma skin cancers were registered.
  
• In 2010 in the UK, 2,749 people died from skin cancer. Around 2,203 from malignant melanoma and 546 from non-melanoma skin cancer.
  

• In 2005-2009, around 84% of men and 92% of women in England survived their malignant melanoma for five years or more.

• 35 per cent of 16-24 year olds plan to use sunbeds, tanning oils, only apply sunscreen when they start to burn, let their skin burn in the hope that it will eventually go brown or don't intend to wear any sunscreen at all in strong sun this summer.
  

• Almost a quarter (23 per cent) plan to spend less time in the shade when the sun eventually appears than they did last summer.

• More than a quarter of young people (27 per cent) say that they would spend at least an hour in strong sun without protecting their skin.
• And just one in five (20 per cent) only plan to first apply sunscreen when they start to get sunburnt or their skin starts to feel sore.

A third of young people are putting themselves at risk by not taking care in the sun, a charity has said.

Cancer Research UK said that 35% of 16 to 24-year-olds use sunbeds, tanning oils and do not apply suncream properly.

A survey of around 2,000 adults found that more than a quarter of young people would spend at least an hour in strong sun without protecting their skin.

Just 20% only apply sunscreen when they start to get burnt or their skin starts to feel sore.