Women must use sun cream

One in four women do not plan on using suncream when they go on holiday

A survey by Macmillan Cancer Support warns not enough women are using sun cream and claims attitudes towards sunburn are very concerning.

The poll of 1,500 women found 22 per cent did not wear sun cream when on holiday. It revealed that 24 per cent of these women say they don't burn, while 14 per cent believe sun cream is too expensive.

'It is very concerning that nearly a quarter of British women are putting themselves at risk of skin cancer by not wearing any sun tan lotion abroad,' says Macmillan nurse Carol Goodman.

More than 2,500 women die from skin cancer every year yet figures from the British Association of Dermatologists shows 92 per cent of people have been sun burnt at least once, and a third have been burnt more than 10 times.

President of the Association, Stephen Jones, urges women to get to know their skin type and take the appropriate precautions.

'Not everyone's skin offers the same level of protection in the sun, which is why it's really important to get to know your own risk level,' he says.

'People with pale skin who burn easily or those with a close family history of skin cancer are at greater risk of sun damage and need to take extra steps to protect themselves.'

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