1 in 9 Welsh Adults have Deliberately Burnt Their Skin

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 adults in Wales have deliberately burnt their skin, ignoring the serious and potentially deadly consequences of UV exposure.[1]

The survey also found that 31% of Welsh respondents never use sunscreen in the UK during the summer months – a figure that is 35% across the UK and rises to 41% among men.[2] Additionally, 22% of adults in Wales have never heard of the UV index, and less than half (42%) 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 in the UK, and 1,070 in Wales, 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.”

Imogen Llewellyn, age 38 and from Cardiff, was diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma in 2014 and stage 4 in 2019. She said:

“I’ve got quite light skin but I don’t remember having any blistering sunburns. The melanoma was on my back and I think it resulted from many burns that I might have considered ‘mild’. I now know all sunburn is dangerous. I was careless about sun protection when I was younger and inconsistently wore sunscreen in the UK. Being diagnosed with incurable melanoma when I had a one year old baby was a massive wake up call. I’m a lot more careful now but I’ll have to live with the anxiety of this diagnosis for the rest of my life.”

Dr Ricky Frazer, Oncology Consultant and skin cancer specialist at the Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff, said:

“Don’t underestimate the sun and the damage it can cause to your skin. Sunburns, whether deliberate or accidental, significantly increase your risk of skin cancer, including melanoma which can be fatal. Make it a habit to check the UV index daily and wear sunscreen or cover your skin whenever it’s 3 or above.”

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)  of those in Wales (and the UK) 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? 31% of Welsh and 35% of all UK respondents said No and 41% of UK male respondents said No. (Q6)

[3] The survey asked: Have you heard of the UV index? 22% of respondents in Wales said No and 42% 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? 29% of Welsh respondents said Don’t know and only 11% correctly said level 3.(Q5a). When asked: At what UV Index band do you think people need to wear sunscreen? Only 36% of Welsh respondents 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). And an average of 1,067 in Wales.

[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). In Wales, there are around 149 melanoma skin cancer deaths per year.

[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.