Latest news with #UVProtection
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
School sun safety lessons trialled to tackle skin cancer
Children as young as five are being taught how to check UV levels and apply sunscreen, as part of a new pilot aimed at reducing future skin cancer cases. The initiative, currently being trialled in primary schools across Kent, is planned to be introduced into Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) lessons nationwide from 2026. Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is linked to UV exposure - and experts say sunburn in childhood significantly increases the risk later in life. In 2021, around 18,300 people were diagnosed with melanoma in the UK, according to Cancer Research. That figure is projected to rise to 21,300 by 2026, the charity says. Michelle Baker, from the charity Melanoma Fund, which is behind the education project, said changing children's habits early is key. "People think melanoma is an older person's disease," she says, "but it's often seeded in childhood." She says the project aims to "grow skin cancer out of the next generation". Giving children a sense of control and responsibility for their sun protection is central to this. "We're saying this is your superpower," she adds. At Platt Primary school in Maidstone, pupils are learning to read UV indexes, apply sunscreen properly, and understand when they need protection. Headteacher Emma Smith said the pupils have been "really receptive". "If we educate them early, they're more likely to keep that knowledge as they get older - especially when social media starts to influence their choices." The childhood sun safety drive comes as Cancer Research UK says the rise in melanoma cases among adults is a particular cause for concern. A recent study from the charity found that cancer deaths cost the UK economy £10.3bn a year, more than any other health condition – underlining the importance of preventative measures. Consultant dermatologist Dr Katie Lacy says that educating children about how to look after their skin is key to reducing melanoma rates. Research shows that nine out of 10 cases are caused by UV exposure from the sun and sunbeds. Getting sunburnt regularly increases the chances of skin cancer. Dr Lacy stresses there is no such thing as a "safe tan", explaining that tanning is a response to skin damage. "Most melanomas don't come from existing moles - so if you notice something new, get it checked," she adds. She also highlights the growing role of AI in screening suspicious moles within the NHS - which could help streamline referrals to specialist services. The ABCDE checklist can help identify if a mole is abnormal: A - asymmetrical (does the mole have an uneven shape?) B - border (are the edges blurry or jagged?) C - colour (is it an uneven colour with different shades and tones?) D - diameter (is the mole bigger than your other ones?) E - evolving (is it changing, such as starting to itch, bleed or become crusty?) Source: Cancer Research UK For Kara Leece, diagnosed with melanoma at 29, the message is personal. "If I'd had that education at primary school, I think I could've prevented it," she told BBC News. "Now I have a scar that reminds me of what I've been through. When children ask about it, I tell them my story - because I don't want this to happen to anyone else." Try to keep children in the shade between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its strongest Kit them out with wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and clothing to cover their skin. Sunscreen is also very important - apply it regularly and generously, and make sure it's at least SPF 30 and four or five stars Source: Cancer Research UK Melanoma skin cancer cases rising in UK Suncream should be everywhere - cancer sufferer Comic Ryan diagnosed with skin cancer for second time
BBC News
16 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Skin cancer: Primary school sun safety lessons trialled
Children as young as five are being taught how to check UV levels and apply sunscreen, as part of a new pilot aimed at reducing future skin cancer initiative, currently being trialled in primary schools across Kent, is planned to be introduced into Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) lessons nationwide from the most serious form of skin cancer, is linked to UV exposure - and experts say sunburn in childhood significantly increases the risk later in 2021, around 18,300 people were diagnosed with melanoma in the UK, according to Cancer Research. That figure is projected to rise to 21,300 by 2026, the charity says. Michelle Baker, from the charity Melanoma Fund, which is behind the education project, said changing children's habits early is key. "People think melanoma is an older person's disease," she says, "but it's often seeded in childhood."She says the project aims to "grow skin cancer out of the next generation". Giving children a sense of control and responsibility for their sun protection is central to this. "We're saying this is your superpower," she Platt Primary school in Maidstone, pupils are learning to read UV indexes, apply sunscreen properly, and understand when they need Emma Smith said the pupils have been "really receptive"."If we educate them early, they're more likely to keep that knowledge as they get older - especially when social media starts to influence their choices." No 'safe tan' The childhood sun safety drive comes as Cancer Research UK says the rise in melanoma cases among adults is a particular cause for concern.A recent study from the charity found that cancer deaths cost the UK economy £10.3bn a year, more than any other health condition – underlining the importance of preventative dermatologist Dr Katie Lacy says that educating children about how to look after their skin is key to reducing melanoma shows that nine out of 10 cases are caused by UV exposure from the sun and sunburnt regularly increases the chances of skin cancer. Dr Lacy stresses there is no such thing as a "safe tan", explaining that tanning is a response to skin damage. "Most melanomas don't come from existing moles - so if you notice something new, get it checked," she also highlights the growing role of AI in screening suspicious moles within the NHS - which could help streamline referrals to specialist ABCDE checklist can help identify if a mole is abnormal:A - asymmetrical (does the mole have an uneven shape?)B - border (are the edges blurry or jagged?)C - colour (is it an uneven colour with different shades and tones?)D - diameter (is the mole bigger than your other ones?)E - evolving (is it changing, such as starting to itch, bleed or become crusty?)Source: Cancer Research UKFor Kara Leece, diagnosed with melanoma at 29, the message is personal."If I'd had that education at primary school, I think I could've prevented it," she told BBC News."Now I have a scar that reminds me of what I've been through. When children ask about it, I tell them my story - because I don't want this to happen to anyone else." Tips for keeping kids sun safe Try to keep children in the shade between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its strongestKit them out with wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and clothing to cover their skin. Sunscreen is also very important - apply it regularly and generously, and make sure it's at least SPF 30 and four or five starsSource: Cancer Research UK
CNET
3 days ago
- Health
- CNET
Spot Skin Cancer With Your Smartphone With These 3 Apps
Summer means swimsuits and sunburns, and to prevent that painful peeling and the skin damage accompanying it, sunscreen and/or UV-blocking clothing is absolutely essential. Even if you're not going to be outside for long, cancer-causing skin damage can still occur, and in fact, it can even occur inside if your windows don't have a UV-blocking film. Skin cancer accounts for more diagnoses each year than all other cancers, but the good news is that early detection could be the difference between a simple mole removal or malignant cancer that spreads to other parts of the body. Documenting suspicious marks and moles is important, and the top-notch cameras on our favorite smartphones today make it easy as pie to take them, back them up, and then send them on to your dermatologist. A handful of smartphone apps and devices claim to aid early detection and keep you on track with regular self-exams. These apps can be helpful, but they do have limitations, so it's important to follow conventional wisdom to protect yourself. Here's what you need to know about using your smartphone to detect skin cancer. Read more: What SPF Should You Really Use? Here's What a Dermatologist Says Know the facts about skin cancer Every year, doctors diagnose more than 4 million cases of nonmelanoma (including basal and squamous cell) skin cancers in the US, and the number of melanoma deaths is expected to increase by 4.4 percent in 2023, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation. Basal and squamous cell carcinomas, which develop on the outer layers of the skin, are more common and usually less harmful than melanoma. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer because it more easily spreads to other bodily systems, becoming metastatic melanoma, and can impact any organ in the body. It originates in the cells responsible for skin pigmentation, called melanocytes. It's an aggressive form of cancer and accounts for nearly 10,000 deaths each year. Even with early detection, it can be fatal. Symptoms of all types of skin cancers include: Change in the size or color of a mole or other spot on the skin A new growth on the skin Odd skin sensations, such as persistent itchiness or tenderness Spread of pigmentation outside the border of a mole Skin cancer may develop due to a variety of factors, including genetics and exposure to toxic chemicals, but the clearest connection is that of skin cancer and UV exposure. How your phone can help you spot skin cancer Telemedicine is a growing field, and skin care is not to be left out: Over the last several years, a handful of skin cancer detection apps have popped up, allowing you to analyze your skin with your smartphone and artificial intelligence algorithms. Some send photos to a dermatologist, some provide instant feedback while others offer helpful reminders about self-checking your skin and scheduling a doctor's appointment. Here are a few you can download on iOS and Android. Miiskin uses hi-res digital photography to capture magnified photos of moles on your skin. Miiskin Miiskin Miiskin uses mole mapping to analyze your skin. Dermatologists perform mole maps as part of a clinical full-body skin exam, using digital dermoscopy (magnified digital photography) to catch suspicious lesions they may not catch with their own eyes. Because they're so high-definition, dermoscopy photos provide much more information than normal digital photos. The developers behind Miiskin wanted to offer a version of this technology to consumers, so they built an app that takes magnified photos of large areas of your skin, for example, your entire leg. According to the website, anyone with an iPhone with iOS 11 and newer or a phone running Android 4.4 and newer can use Miiskin. The app stores your photos separate from your smartphone library and allows you to compare moles over time, which is helpful in detecting changes. Find it: iOS | Android MoleScope With a clip-on camera, MoleScope uses the ABCD method to complete a risk assessment of your moles. MoleScope MoleScope uses magnified images to help people determine whether they should see a dermatologist to get their skin checked. A product of MetaOptima (a supplier of clinical dermatology technology) MoleScope is a device that attaches to your smartphone and sends photos to a dermatologist for an online checkup. Though MoleScope itself won't analyze or diagnose your moles, you can use the ABCD guide in the app to keep tabs on any suspicious moles: The app helps you document your moles with photos and sends them to a dermatologist, who can assess them using the ABCD method: Asymmetry: the shape of one half doesn't match the other the shape of one half doesn't match the other Border: edges are bumpy, ragged or blurred edges are bumpy, ragged or blurred Color: uneven shades of brown, black and tan; odd colors such as red or blue uneven shades of brown, black and tan; odd colors such as red or blue Diameter: a change in size greater than 6 mm Unlike Miiskin, you can only take photos of one mole or small areas with a few moles, rather than large areas like your entire chest or back. Find it: iOS | Android SkinVision SkinVision claims to aid early detection of melanoma. The app uses deep learning to analyze photos of your skin and aid in the early detection of skin cancer. The photos are processed through a machine-learning algorithm that filters image layers based on simple, complex, and more abstract functions and patterns through a technology called convolutional neural network (CNN). SkinVision uses it to check small areas of your skin and come back with a high- or low-risk assessment of that area in less than a minute. SkinVision is backed by a scientific board of dermatologists, but Dr. Daniel Friedmann, a dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas, told CNET that even an app with prominent support of scientists has limitations. "I would not recommend that patients avoid these apps, but I would approach their results with cautious skepticism," Dr. Friedmann said, "and counsel patients that suspicious lesions are best evaluated in-office." Find it: iOS SkinVision uses a machine-learning algorithm to analyze spots on the skin. SkinVision Read more: 5 Facial Products You'll Want This Summer to Protect Your Skin Research is promising, but accuracy isn't quite there Of all the apps discussed here, SkinVision seems to have the most research behind it. A 2014 study on an older version of SkinVision reported 81% accuracy in detecting melanoma, which at the time researchers said was "insufficient to detect melanoma accurately." However, a more recent study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology determined that SkinVision can detect 95% of skin cancer cases. It's encouraging to see the company continue to work on app accuracy, as early detection of skin cancer is the number-one way to achieve successful treatment. In another study, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, analyzed four smartphone apps that claim to detect skin cancer. We don't know the exact apps, as they're named only as Application 1, 2, 3 and 4. Three of the apps used algorithms to send immediate feedback about the person's risk of skin cancer, and the fourth app sent the photos to a dermatologist. Unsurprisingly, the researchers found the fourth app to be the most accurate. The other three apps were found to incorrectly categorize a large number of skin lesions, with one missing nearly 30% of melanomas, classifying them as low-risk lesions. A Cochrane review of prior research found that AI-based skin cancer detection has "not yet demonstrated sufficient promise in terms of accuracy, and they are associated with a high likelihood of missing melanomas." To be fair, much of this research took place a few years ago, and the manufacturers may very well have improved their technology since then. More recently, in 2017, a team of researchers at Stanford University announced that their AI does just as well as an in-person dermatologist in detecting skin cancer -- showing that these apps and algorithms do hold promise. Potential benefits of skin cancer detection apps Healthcare professionals have expressed two main arguments related to skin cancer detection apps. The first raises concern that people may rely on apps and consumer devices to assess their risk of skin cancer, which could lead to delayed diagnosis. The second praises these apps for raising awareness among the public and encouraging people to take better care of their skin. Both arguments are valid. In the SkinVision study, for example, the researchers say, "We see the main potential for the smartphone applications in the improvement of the patient-doctor communication by making aware of the need of skin cancer screening and by giving a basis of interaction." Additionally, apps like MoleScope that send images to dermatologists can serve as the first step in receiving a professional exam. All skin cancer biopsies begin with a visual exam, after all. However, you shouldn't use any at-home app or device to replace professional medical care for any condition. Most skin cancer app developers know this and include a disclaimer on their websites that their app is not a replacement for professional healthcare. The importance of annual exams The easiest and most effective way to detect skin cancer is to self-check your skin and go to a dermatologist regularly for a check-up. Experts disagree on what groups of people should get annual exams: Some say you only need a screening if you have suspicious moles or risk factors for melanoma; others say everyone should get an annual skin check. A few factors increase your risk of skin cancer, and if you have any of these, you would benefit from a yearly check-up: Fair skin, light eyes and blonde or red hair Skin that burns or freckles easily A family history of any type of skin cancer History of tanning bed use History of severe sunburns Unusual moles or more than 50 moles on your body For now, even though these apps may be helpful in some ways, your best bet is to seek the professional opinion of a dermatologist or doctor if you notice any suspicious moles or other warning signs of skin cancer. And to wear your sunscreen diligently, with the proper SPF rating, as higher isn't always better.
BBC News
20-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Sunny weather: Do more expensive sunglasses give more protection?
We all know how the sun can age our skin, but experts warn it can also damage our or UV, light can lead to a number of conditions that can affect vision, such as cataracts. Our eyes can even get avoid eye damage, optometrists say we need to properly protect our eyes when out in the sun, but the good news is that we do not need expensive sunglasses for the protection we need. Dr Malgorzata Rozanoswka, from Cardiff University's School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, said adequate protection was required, including "proper sunglasses", sun cream with high sun protection factor (SPF) and wide brimmed hats."When you are on the beach, there is the reflection of the UV from water, from sand. It could be quite high," she added people hiking or climbing mountains needed more protection because "the higher the altitude, then the higher UV". How can UV damage our eyes? Starting outside the eye, our eyelids are at risk from exposure to the sun, because they are not somewhere we often think about applying skin is also susceptible to UV-associated cancers, much like the rest of our body, including melanoma. Inside our eyes, short-term exposure to UV can lead to photokeratitis, which is like sunburn that affects the cornea, rather than the skin. This painful condition is also known as "snow blindness" and can affect skiers and climbers who spend time at high altitude.A lack of protecting our eyes throughout our lifetime can also lead to deteriorating eyesight, increasing the risk of conditions such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Dr Rozanowska said increased exposure to sunlight could increase the risk of the retina aging prematurely, as well as other parts of the eye."So there is a very well-established association of UV and cataracts, and those cancers of the surface of the eye," she said. "Honestly, just ones that fit my head, because I've got such a small head. But obviously also to protect from UV," said Hattie from Cardiff, speaking from the city's Bute friend Immy, from Buckinghamshire, added: "For me, it's more like fashion. I don't really think about protection."Searching for the right pair of sunglasses requires some some shops you will notice labels with categories from 0 to 4, referring to how dark the lenses are. Category 0 sunglasses let a lot of sunlight through, while category 4 are best for activities in more intense sunshine, such as skiing or hiking in mountains. Category 4 sunglasses block so much visible light that they are not considered safe to drive darker sunglasses do not mean better UV protection, and you cannot tell by looking at the colour of the lenses how much UV protection is offered. Dr Rozanowska recommended looking at the certificate on the frame to see whether sunglasses block UV best to look for is UV400, which blocks 99% of all UV, she said."When buying sunglasses, it's worth getting them from reputable sources and look for those certificates on the frame."Good sunglasses also do not have to cost a lot of money, with some cheaper sunglasses offering as much protection as expensive ones."The lenses are probably made from the same material as the very expensive designer sunglasses, as long as they have the certificate CE or UV 400," Dr Rozanowska those fake designer sunglasses we are tempted to buy from a market stall on holiday may look like a bargain, but they may be offering no protection at all from the sun."Even though they have very dark lenses, they can transmit a lot of UV light and wearing this type of sunglasses with dark lenses, this would make your pupils dilate and more of that UV light would be transmitted to the lens," she sunglasses with no UV protection can actually cause more harm to our eyes. Another thing to consider is that not all sunglasses offer good protection at the side of our eyes - a narrow arm can still allow for UV light to reach our eyes, resulting in eye typically spend a lot of time playing outdoors and their eyes can be more vulnerable to UV damage than adults, said Dr said lenses offered almost no protection from UV, so it was not necessary to force a child to wear sunglasses, instead creating shady areas for play. "So if you are playing on the grass surrounded by trees, there is enough shadow. That reflection from the grass is like 2%, it's almost nothing."It is important for children to play outside without any eye protection. It prevents the development of myopia or short-sightedness."
Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Major skin cancer warning slapped on popular sunscreen: 'It doesn't do what it says', study finds
A major report has warned that a popular sunscreen does not work, potentially leaving consumers at risk of skin cancer. Consumer champion Which? safety tested 15 sun creams from Boots, Garnier and Nivea, as well as own-brand alternatives, and saw surprising results. While a £2.99 supermarket-own sun protectant passed the stringent testing process, a £28 branded favourite failed to reach industry standards. As a result, the consumer body warned, users may not be adequately protected from the sun's UV rays, putting them at risk of deadly cancer. Ultrasun Family SPF30, sold by some of the biggest UK high street retailers and costing £28, markets itself as being 'perfect for the whole family' and 'especially suitable for children with sensitive skin'. But the cream failed two separate tests that measured both its sun protection factor—or SPF—and ultraviolet (UV) protection. To trial the creams, scientists applied a small amount on volunteers' backs, before shining a lamp on the patch to simulate the sun's rays. The time it takes for the skin to become red was then measured. Ultrasun Family SPF30 (left), sold by some of the biggest UK high street retailers, markets itself as being 'perfect for the whole family' and 'especially suitable for children with sensitive skin'. Another sunscreen that made it onto the Don't Buy list was Morrisons Moisturising Sun Spray SPF30 - £3.75 per bottle In another test, scientists took a sample of the cream and spread it onto a glass plate to measure the absorption of UV radiation directly. To pass, the sunscreen needed to provide at least one third of the claimed SPF. SPF is measurement of the length of time you can be in the sun before you get burnt. For example, a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 will take 30 times longer to damage your skin compared to no protection at all. If a product failed to demonstrate the level of SPF it claimed to have on its first test, Which? repeated the test. If it passed the second time around, a third test was done. Any product that failed either test twice overall, was labelled a 'Don't Buy' by Which?. Natalie Hitchins, Which?'s head of home products and services, warned shoppers to look out for these products, as they are not guaranteed to protect as expected. 'It's really concerning that widely available sunscreens could be putting families at risk by failing to offer the level of sun protection claimed on the packaging,' she said. 'Our results prove that there's no need to splash out to keep you and your loved ones safe in the sun as we've found other cheap and reliable options.' A spokesperson from Ultrasun told Which? that the brand was fully confident in its testing protocols and that these not only met, but surpass industry standards. Another sunscreen that made it on to this year's Don't Buy list was Morrisons Moisturising Sun Spray SPF30, priced £3.75 per bottle. Morrisons says it's looking closely at the data and working with its supplier to carry out additional independent testing. Sunscreens that did pass Which?'s test included Aldi's Lacura Sensitive Sun Lotion SPF50+, which costs just £2.99. At just £1.50 per 100ml, it also earned a Which? Great Value badge. Lidl's Cien Sun Spray 30SPF High (£3.79) Boot's Soltan Protect & Moisturise Suncare Spray SPF30 (£5.50) Nivea's Sun Protect and Moisture Lotion SPF30 (£7.90) and Sainsbury's Sun Protect Moisturising Lotion SPF30 (£5.50) all also passed the safety tests. The damning report comes days after Kelsey Parker, 34, came under fire for admitting she doesn't put sunscreen on her children. The podcast host, who is currently expecting her third child with tree surgeon Will Lindsay, claimed daughter Aurelia, five, and son Bodhi, four, 'don't burn' and that it 'causes skin cancer'. The children's father, The Wanted star Tom Parker, tragically died from brain cancer in 2022. Speaking in the latest episode of her Mum's The Word! podcast about 'the secret world of parenting', Ms Parker confessed that she opts to keep her children out of the sun rather than using SPF to protect them. She added that she makes 'organic' sunscreen out of beeswax for UV protection instead. 'It's bad for you–that sunscreen,' she said. 'My kids do not wear sun cream.' 'The only thing that I may put on them is an organic sun cream. 'My kids, we went on holiday, I never put sun cream on them and they do not burn. 'I never used to wear sun cream, sun cream causes skin cancer'. Since making the controversial remarks, the expectant mother has been blasted by listeners, who have accused her of spreading 'dangerous misinformation. One listener wrote on social media: 'This is really dangerous spreading this information. Please research.' 'This is insane and so unsafe. It's so damaging, burning doesn't indicate sun damage, it can literally kill them. Wow,' a second said. A third slammed the 'dangerous advice', while a fourth called the dismissal of conventional sun cream 'irresponsible'. Experts say there is no evidence that sunscreen causes cancer in humans. Dr Bav Shergill a consultant dermatologist at the Queen Victoria Hospital, London and spokesperson for the British Association of Dermatologists, previously told MailOnline: 'Sunscreens are a safe and effective way to protect your skin from burning and other forms of sun damage. 'Millions of people have used sunscreen over many decades so we can be confident about their safety profile.' Studies have long shown sun creams can contain both mineral and chemical UV filters. Mineral UV filters mainly remain on the skin's surface and form a physical barrier to deflect UV rays before they penetrate your skin. Chemical UV filters, meanwhile, absorb UV light and convert it into heat energy. As well as being used in sun creams, they may be added to other personal care products, such as moisturisers. Some research on animals, mainly mice, has indicated many commonly used chemical UV filters in high quantities could be endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) — chemicals that interfere with hormones — such as mimicking natural oestrogen found in our bodies. Lifetime exposure to oestrogen is an established risk factor for cancers, including breast. But no research on humans has backed this up. Going without sunscreen, meanwhile, has been shown to directly raise the risk of developing skin cancer. Around 15,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with melanoma each year—the UK's fifth most common cancer—with the incidence rate rising faster than any other common cancer. A recent study from Cancer Research UK warned found that an alarming 87 per cent of melanoma cases, the equivalent of 17,100 in the UK each year, are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation, either directly from the sun or sun beds—meaning they could be avoided. This is because increased UV exposure can damage the DNA in skin cells, triggering mutations that become cancerous. From here, the cancer can spread to the blood vessels beneath the skin, getting into the bloodstream and spreading throughout the body. Last year, rates of the cancer reached a record high in the UK, with new diagnoses increasing by almost a third in just a decade, according to the charity. According to the NHS website, people should apply suncream to avoid burning and use 'at least factor 30'. 'Sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. Sunburn does not just happen on holiday. You can burn in the UK, even when it's cloudy,' the site reads. The health service also recommends avoiding the sun when it is at its strongest, between the hours of 11am and 3pm from March to November, and to cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses.
