1 in 9 UK Adults in Northern Ireland have Deliberately Burnt their Skin
New survey data reveals alarming attitudes to UV exposure ahead of bank holiday weekend.
As the UK gears up for the bank holiday weekend, an alarming new survey conducted for the charity Melanoma Focus reveals that 1 in 9 UK adults have deliberately burnt their skin, ignoring the serious and potentially deadly consequences of UV exposure.[1]
The survey also found that 35% of respondents never use sunscreen in the UK during the summer months – a figure that rises to 41% among men.[2] Additionally, 25% of UK adults have never heard of the UV index, and less than half (43%) understand what it is.[3] When further asked at what UV index level they should wear sunscreen, most people didn’t realise it’s necessary at ‘moderate’ or 3 and above.[4] These statistics highlight a concerning gap in knowledge about sun safety and skin health.
The findings are worrying for skin cancer experts who remind the public that melanoma skin cancer is the 5th most common cancer in the country (and now the 4th most common for men), with around 19,400 new cases every year. Melanoma is also the deadliest form of skin cancer causing approximately 2,600 deaths each year in the UK – more than 7 every day.[5][6][7]
The UK already has more deaths from melanoma skin cancer per year than Australia and it is one of the most rapidly increasing cancers in the UK.[8]
Susanna Daniels, CEO of Melanoma Focus, said:
“It is alarming to see that so many individuals are putting themselves at serious risk by deliberately burning their skin, and overlooking the vital importance of sun protection. Melanoma skin cancer is extremely serious and five or more sunburns over your lifetime can double your risk of developing this potentially deadly disease. Despite this, nearly 9 in 10 melanoma cases are preventable, making awareness and protection absolutely essential.
“As we head into the bank holiday weekend, we understand the desire to spend time outdoors, but staying safe in the sun by using a broad spectrum factor 30+ sunscreen, seeking shade, covering up, wearing a hat and UV protection sunglasses will protect you. These sun safe practices are important when the UV index (found on weather apps) is moderate or 3 or above.”
John McClean, age 52 and from Antrim, was diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in 2015. He said:
“I didn’t deliberately burn my skin but I’ve had a lot of sunburns in my life, particularly when I was young. We used to go on summer holidays to Devon and I remember my skin would always end up peeling. We didn’t wear sunscreen and I remember some people used to put olive oil on their skin to try to get tanned. I now have stage 4 cancer that has spread to my brain. It’s been a really frightening experience but I have to say the treatment I’ve received from the NHS, and from the hospital team in Belfast in particular, has been excellent. I’m currently free of treatment and anxiously awaiting the results of my latest MRI scan.”
Dr Thomas Carter, Consultant Medical Oncologist at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in North West London, said:
“Skin burning, whether deliberate or accidental, reflects a lack of awareness that needs urgent attention. In the UK, the UV index can be deceptively high, and we’re seeing more men admitted to hospital with severe sunburn than women. This highlights the importance of encouraging everyone, particularly men, to take more care of their skin. Sunscreen is a critical defence against skin cancer. Protecting skin from UV rays can and does save lives.”
Visit Melanoma Focus for advice about how to protect yourself from skin cancer.
#MelanomaAwarenessMonth
#KnowYourSkin
Notes to editors:
- The survey was conducted by Deltapoll on behalf of Melanoma Focus. Deltapoll interviewed 3,269 UK adults 18+ online between the 20th March and 31st March 2026. The data have been weighted to be representative of the UK adult population as a whole. View the full survey tables here and all population tables here.
About Melanoma Focus:
- Melanoma Focus is a national charity dedicated to providing a comprehensive and authoritative source of information for public and professionals alike, as well as supporting education and promoting research about melanoma.
- Melanoma Focus runs a free and confidential helpline at 0808 801 0777
[1] The survey asked: Have you ever DELIBERATELY burnt your skin from either the sun or from using sunbeds? 11% (1 in 9) said Yes either from the sun or from using sunbeds (Q26).
[2] The survey asked: When you are in the United Kingdom, do you ever wear sunscreen from May to September? 35% of all respondents said No and 41% of Male respondents said No. (Q6)
[3] The survey asked: Have you heard of the UV index? 25% of respondents said No and 43% said Yes – and I do know what it is. (Q4).
[4] When asked: At what level on the UV Index do you think people need to be wearing sunscreen? 31% of UK respondents said Don’t know and only 10% correctly said level 3.(Q5a). When asked: At what UV Index band do you think people need to wear sunscreen? Only 39% correctly said Moderate (Q5b).
[5] Cancer Research UK: Melanoma skin cancer is the 5th most common cancer in the UK, accounting for 5% of all new cancer cases (2018-2019, 2021). In males in the UK, melanoma skin cancer is the 4th most common cancer, with around 9,900 new cases every year. (2018-2019, 2021).
[6] Cancer Research UK: There are around 19,400 new melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK every year, that’s 53 every day (2019, 2021-2022).
[7] Cancer Research UK: There are around 2,600 melanoma skin cancer deaths in the UK every year, that’s more than 7 every day (2022-2024).
[8] There are around 2,600 melanoma skin cancer deaths in the UK every year. (CRUK 2022-2024). The estimated number of deaths from melanoma of the skin in 2025 in Australia was 1,455. It is projected that the average number of deaths from melanoma skin cancer in the UK every year will rise to around 2,800 deaths in 2038-2040.