Cancer Research UK gets SunSmart with the big screen

Teenagers will be encouraged to be SunSmart during their half-term break thanks to Cancer Research UK and the big screen.

Youngsters flocking to the cinema from May 30 to June 12, 2003, will be able to pick up tips on how to stay safe in the sun on a specially designed postcard available at more than 160 cinemas across the country. Among those taking part are Odeon Cinemas, Warner Village Cinemas and UCI.

The colourful postcard will feature the SunSmart code as part of Cancer Research UK’s skin cancer awareness campaign, supported by the UK health departments.

The five SunSmart tips include staying in the shade between 11am and 3pm, making sure you never burn, always covering up, remembering young people burn more easily and using factor 15+ sunscreen.

The messages will then be reinforced after the break, when the cards are sent to more than 950 secondary schools in the UK.

Di Swanston, Cancer Research UK’s Sunsmart Manager, says: “There is a real fashion among the younger generation, especially teenage girls, that you have to have a tan to be attractive.

“More and more of them are ignoring all the warnings and constantly seeking suntans, sizzling themselves outside and even frying on sunbeds.

“This is really alarming and is a trend that needs to be reversed if we are to avoid a hike in the numbers of skin cancer cases in future years.”

Sara Hiom, co-ordinator of Cancer Research UK’s SunSmart Initiative, says: “Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and is on the increase. Many cases result from sun damage acquired during the early years.”

“Young people have delicate skin and are more vulnerable to the sun. They also burn more easily than adults so they need to take extra care to protect themselves.

“These postcards will reinforce SunSmart messages for the younger generation and make them think twice before going out unprotected into the sun.”

For more information about Cancer Research UK’s SunSmart campaign, log onto www.sunsmart.org.uk or for a free skin cancer leaflet send an SAE to: skin cancer leaflet, Cancer Research UK, PO Box 123, London, WC2A 3PX.

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For further information please contact the Cancer Research UK press office on 0207 061 8300 or, the out of hours duty press officer on 07050 264 059.