Trade · Berlins Today
N ew climate risks bring with them new health risks. An exceptionally warm and dry summer in Europe meant that outdoor workers, and those who choose to spend leisure time in the sun, were confronted more directly than usual by the need to protect their skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, as well as avoid dehydration and overheating. In the UK, the annual total of new melanoma cases was reported to have risen above 20,000 for the first time earlier this year.
The two most common forms of skin cancer, basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, are less dangerous. As with other cancers, the increase in cases reflects an ageing and growing population. A third of those diagnosed with cancer in the UK are over 75.
However, with the NHS struggling to cope with the number of those seeking treatment, and melanoma the fifth most common cancer after prostate, breast, lung, and bowel (excluding other skin cancers), there are growing calls for behavior change aligned with stronger public health measures. In May, a group of MPs proposed a ban on advertising sunbeds, which are linked to a raised risk of skin cancer. Last year, experts advocated banning their commercial use altogether, as in Australia and Brazil.
The 1981 ‘Slip, slop, slap’ campaign offers lessons from other countries. In Australia, melanoma is the third most common cancer, and strong public health warnings have been the norm for decades. A cartoon seagull was the face of a ‘slip, slop, slap’ campaign aimed at persuading people to wear shirts, apply sunscreen, and wear hats.
In schools, children follow a ‘no hat, no play’ rule. While some British nurseries and schools have adopted similar policies, awareness of the risks remains low. Many people still welcome bright sunshine and high temperatures, partly because these are rarer in the UK, especially in northern areas.
Melanoma is less of a priority for health authorities in Scotland than in south-east England. However, with global temperatures predicted to rise, UK ministers and local health bosses should reconsider UV radiation risks and factors driving them. The National Cancer Plan in England has already committed officials to seek further evidence on sunbeds.
In Australia, doctors have objected to tanning apps promoted by influencers, and in the UK, there has been an increase in tanning among young people due to social media promotion. Personalized cancer care, such as immunotherapy, has been termed a ‘golden age’ for oncology. However, tensions exist between focusing on innovation and improving access to established services while investing in prevention and public health.
Melanoma is one of many diseases where behavior plays a role, alongside cancers linked to obesity. After tightening laws on tobacco and vapes and following this summer’s record high temperatures, there is a strong case for renewed efforts to communicate the risks of the sun and artificial UV light in time for summer 2027.
Source: The Guardian
