WIREDGOV

New research, released day by the Met Office in conjunction with the NHS England #CoverUpMate skin cancer campaign, has revealed a worryingly relaxed attitude towards sun care amongst many parents of young children. Sunburn in childhood has been strongly linked to the development of skin cancer in later years, making it a vital time for parents to ensure their children are protected.

The study – conducted amongst 1,000 parents with children aged 11 and under – revealed that one in 14 parents (7%) admit they have NEVER applied sunscreen to their children. Despite suntans being a sign of the skin being damaged by UV rays (understood by 47% of respondents) over a third (37%) incorrectly believe that suntans are a sign of good health.

Incredibly, a quarter (25%) of parents with children aged 11 and under have encouraged them to get a tan one way or another, with one in ten parents (10%) of children aged 2-7 admitting they have encouraged them to sunbathe. Even more worryingly, 7% of parents with children aged 6-11 have allowed their children to use a UV sun tanning machine (sunbed). Furthermore, 10% of parents with children aged 11 and under admit they have told their children to take their top off in the sunshine so they don’t get tan lines.

Whilst shocking, the figures can in some ways be explained by a lack of knowledge amongst parents of the damage the sun can inflict. For example:

• 7% do not know that UV rays make you burn and have strong links to cancer
• 15% do not know you can still be exposed to UV rays on cool or cloudy days
• 46% incorrectly think you can feel UV rays when the sun is strong (you cannot feel UV rays)
• 21% do not realise you are at most risk from UV rays between May and September

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