Scots risking skin cancer by ignoring protection advice

Published on Thursday 2 July 2009 18:57

SUN-WORSHIPPING Scots are risking skin cancer by using moisturiser, baby oil and even chip fat instead of protective cream, researchers said today.

A survey said that unhealthy sunbathing habits are to blame for Scots having the highest risk of skin cancer in the UK.

One in five polled admitted to "binge" tanning, and a quarter said they used lotions with lower than recommended protection of SPF 15 or higher.

Four out of 10 Scots also admitted experimenting with their own sun lotions, such as cooking oils and moisturiser.

Laura Wilson, a spokeswoman for The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, who commissioned the YouGov survey, said: "This is a serious issue. I am worried that people still think the warnings about the sun do not apply to them.

"Scots tend to think they do not need to use sun creams at home but people must respect the sun at all times and make sure they use a recommended sun protection cream."