Sun protection and skin checks for people at higher risk of skin cancer

Risk is higher in people with fair skin that burns easily, red or fair hair, many moles or atypical moles, a personal or family history of melanoma or skin cancer, a history of blistering sunburn, or a weakened immune system. People with darker skin can still develop skin cancers, often in less sun-exposed sites such as palms, soles and nails, and are sometimes diagnosed later. Everyone benefits from sun awareness.

• Spend time in the shade when the sun is strongest, usually late morning to mid-afternoon.

• Cover up with clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection.

• Use sunscreen on exposed skin, even in the UK in spring and summer.

• Take extra care at high altitude, near water and on holiday abroad.

• Protect babies and children, who should be kept out of strong sun and covered.

• Check the UV index in weather forecasts.

Choose a broad-spectrum product with at least SPF 30 and a high UVA star rating. Apply it thickly: the amounts people typically use give far less protection than the label suggests. Reapply every couple of hours and after swimming or sweating. Sunscreen should be used alongside shade and clothing, not instead of them. Do not use it to extend time in strong sun.

Sunbeds deliver concentrated UV radiation and are linked to melanoma and other skin cancers. Using them before middle age is associated with greater risk. Commercial use is restricted for under-18s in the UK. Health bodies advise against sunbed use. If you want a tanned look, sunless tanning products are safer, though they provide no protection from the sun.

Check your own skin regularly, and see a GP if you notice a new or changing lesion. People at high risk may be offered specialist surveillance, and people with weakened immunity, such as transplant recipients, often have regular dermatology review. If you are unsure whether your risk justifies private checks, discuss with your GP.

Sunlight helps the skin make vitamin D, but this does not require sunburn or long exposure. In the UK, many people are advised to consider vitamin D supplements in autumn and winter. Balance sun avoidance with bone health by using supplements rather than relying on risky exposure.

Sunburn in childhood and adolescence is linked to higher melanoma risk later in life. Use shade, clothing and hats first, and apply sunscreen to areas that remain exposed. Encourage children to take breaks in shade, particularly around midday. Teach teenagers about sunbed risks and the legal restrictions on use under eighteen. Role-modelling helps: children copy the habits of adults around them. Check schools' sun policies and talk to your GP or health visitor if you have questions about infants.