Skin cancer danger is still a burning issue. . despite rain

IT hasn't really been the kind of summer for youngsters to enjoy the sun.

But the dreary recent weather is exactly the type which can be the most dangerous for skin cancer, a leading cancer charity has warned.

A city-wide campaign has been launched today by Cancer Research to warn children, teenagers and their parents that just because the sun isn't blazing, it is safe to expose skin without protection.

The striking image of youngsters wrapped in warning tape beside ticking clocks was used by the charity in a bid to warn of the dangers of topping up your tan at the expense of your health.

Recent statistics show that malignant melanoma, which is the most dangerous type of skin cancer, is now the most prevalent in the UK among 15-to-34-year-olds.

The charity said bad weather can also encourage children to darken their skin in other ways, which can also lead to long-term problems.

Cancer Research spokesman John Fyall said: "With a summer as bad as this one, it is tempting to make the most of every moment the sun is out.

"But its powerful UV rays can be tremendously damaging.

"During the summer holidays the desire to look brown will also encourage many young people to use sunbeds prior to soaking up the sun on the beach."

The timing of the launch was chosen just as Edinburgh emerges from a period of wet weather, as the organisation thought this was the best time to impress upon youngsters just how serious exposure to the sun can be.

And as well as the worst-case scenario of skin cancer, excessive sun bed use and tanning has other detrimental affects, the charity added.

Mr Fyall said: "Instead of enhancing a person's looks, sunbathing and using sunbeds regularly will actually damage them.

"They lead to premature aging by causing skin to lose its smooth, supple texture and become coarse, leathery and wrinkled."

The issue of skin cancer recently shot back up the health agenda following the death of former footballer and manager Tommy Burns.

And last week another player of his generation, Penicuik-based Craig Paterson, revealed he had been diagnosed with skin cancer, although it had been traced in time for it to be successfully treated.

In both cases they had blamed long-term exposure to the sun as youngsters – without thinking they would come to any harm at the time because of Scotland's moderate climate – as the reason for the onset of the disease.

The SunSmart campaign involves raising awareness among children and parents of the dangers of skin cancer.

Sheena Dryden, Lothian Skin Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist, said the increasing pressure to get a sun tan was putting youngsters' lives at risk.

She said: "Young people are quite literally dying for a tan.

"Getting sunburnt is easy – even in a summer as bad as this one. But it can double your risk of skin cancer and yet many still believe that going red on the beach or in the back garden is all part of getting a tan."