Melanoma skin cancer cases hit a record high in the UK

Warmer weather means people are more likely to head outdoors to enjoy the sun. But with skin cancer cases on the rise across the UK, it’s important to stay sun safe while making the most of the balmy days.

Our latest figures show that, in 2022, more than 20,000 people in the UK were diagnosed with melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. That’s already a record high, but by 2040, this number is expected to rise even further, to 26,500 cases a year.

Despite the upward trajectory, there’s hope that this trend can be reversed. Melanoma is largely preventable, and nearly 9 out of 10 cases in the UK are caused by too much UV radiation from the sun and sunbeds. We can all reduce our risk by taking steps to protect our skin and prevent sunburns.

“It’s concerning to see the rising number of people being diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer across the UK,” said Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive. “The fact that most of these cases are preventable underlines the importance of people taking sun safety seriously.”

Shade, protect, repeat

People are more likely to head outside when the UV index is moderate or high (UV index 3 and above), which means there’s the sun is strong enough to damage skin. That’s why we’ve partnered with NIVEA Sun to share advice and tips on how people can enjoy the sun safely:

Seek shade – Especially between 11am and 3pm in the UK. Take a break under trees, umbrellas, and canopies, or go indoors.
Cover up – With clothes, a wide-brimmed hat and UV protection sunglasses. Clothing should cover your shoulders. The more skin that’s covered by your clothing, the better the protection. 
Apply sunscreen – With at least SPF 30 and four or five stars. Make sure to reapply it regularly and generously, especially after swimming, sweating, or towelling.

It’s important to use all three steps together, even if it’s cloudy or cool outside. The sun can be strong enough in the UK to damage your skin from mid-March to mid-October, and over 90% of UV rays can pass through cloud and cause sunburn.

Behind the numbers

There are likely several reasons that are driving the rise in melanoma cases. One major factor is that the UK’s population is growing and ageing, which naturally increases the number of cancer cases overall.

But, looking more closely, our analysis has also found that melanoma risk can differ within age groups.

For example, among adults under 55, women are more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma than men, likely due to younger women having more sun exposure from activities like sunbathing and using sunbeds. This flips later in life, when rates are higher in men, possibly because of long-term sun exposure.

That’s just a small part of the picture. Rising melanoma rates are linked to the fact people have also become more aware of the signs and symptoms of skin cancer, and tools to detect melanoma are improving.

Though this means more people are being diagnosed, advances in research and early diagnosis are leading to better treatment outcomes, so more people with melanoma can live longer, better lives.

Protect to prevent

Most skin cancers start with damage caused by UV radiation, and one of the clearest signs of that damage is a sunburn.

When your skin burns, it shows that the skin has gotten too much UV exposure, which increases the risk of melanoma.

“Sunburn doesn’t only happen when it’s hot – it can happen on cooler or cloudier days too,” says Fiona Osgun, our head of health information.

But even if you’ve been sunburnt before, it’s never too late to start protecting your skin.

“The best way to protect your skin when the sun is strong is to use shade, particularly in the middle of the day, cover up, especially your shoulders, wear a hat and sunglasses, and apply sunscreen, with at least SPF 30 and four or five stars. Make sure you put plenty on and reapply it regularly.”

There’s nothing like the warm summer sun after a gloomy winter. By staying sun safe – with shade, cover and sunscreen – you can make the most of it while reducing your risk of skin cancer.

Rebecca’s story

Rebecca Dance is a mum-of-two from Wokingham in Berkshire who was diagnosed with melanoma at age 39.

She noticed a suspicious mole on her back and was referred by her GP to hospital, where it was removed.

Rebecca Dance, in a black and red floral top in front of a black background

Two weeks after surgery, and just before her 40th birthday, Rebecca received a call to confirm that she had stage 1 melanoma and had surgery to remove it.

“My whole life flashed in front of me because I just thought – oh my God, I’ve got cancer. I was panicked and upset.

“There’s this perception that skin cancer only happens to people who use sunbeds or sunbathe. But I’m a normal person that’s just got very pale skin and a lot of moles and it happened to me, too.

“Don’t delay speaking to your GP if you notice any changes – I believe it saved my life. I just want to help as many people as I can, and even if my story encourages one person to be more aware, it will be so worthwhile.”

If you notice any unusual changes to your skin – whether that’s a new or changing mole, a sore that doesn’t heal, or a mark or lump that looks out of the ordinary, make sure to contact your GP.

You can find out more about the signs and symptoms of melanoma skin cancer on our About Cancer pages. 