Skin cancer cases at record high, new figures show - as UK braces for bank holiday heatwave

The number of people diagnosed with the deadliest form of skin cancer each year in the UK has risen above 20,000 for the first time, new figures show. 

The most recent data from Cancer Research UK shows that, in 2022, there were 20,980 new cases of melanoma, the highest number on record.

The charity says that long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or sunbeds is part of the cause, warning that the number of melanoma cases could reach 26,500 a year by 2040.

It urges people to enjoy the sun safely by regularly and generously applying sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and four or five stars, and seeking shade, particularly between 11am and 3pm.

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It comes as the UK braces for a heatwave this bank holiday weekend, with temperatures predicted to reach record-breaking May highs of 33C (91F) in parts of the country.

Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said the rising number of people being diagnosed with melanoma was "concerning".

She said: "The fact that most of these cases are preventable underlines the importance of people taking sun safety seriously.

"Take care when the sun is strong by seeking shade, covering up and applying sunscreen and, if you notice any unusual changes to your skin, contact your GP.

"Whether it is a new or changing mole, a sore that doesn't heal, or an area of your skin that looks out of the ordinary, it's important to get it checked out.

"It probably won't be cancer, but if it is, getting it diagnosed and treated early can make all the difference."

Mandatory ID checks to use sunbeds being considered

The data comes as a proposal for mandatory ID checks to prevent children under the age of 18 from using sunbeds is currently being considered.

Teenagers often get around existing rules barring under-18s from accessing sunbeds "through using contactless systems that let anyone tap and tan without any checks by a staff member", according to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

The new rules, being consulted on by the government from Friday, would require staff to be present and check a customer's ID before permitting use of a sunbed.

The DHSC also called for health warnings to be clearly displayed and said "dangerous claims that sunbeds help with weight loss or prevent sunburn" should be banned.

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Sharon Hodgson, the public health and prevention minister, said: "Sunbeds cause cancer and yet children as young as 14 are still accessing them illegally. That is not acceptable.

"We're closing the ways in which businesses could get away with this, and making sure anyone who uses a sunbed knows exactly what they're risking."

Following a 12-week consultation process, the new rules could potentially come into effect as early as next year.

In 2023, there were almost a quarter of a million new skin cancer diagnoses in the UK, costing the NHS an estimated £750m annually.

(c) Sky News 2026: Skin cancer cases at record high, new figures show - as UK braces for bank holiday heatwave