UK Melanoma Cases Top 20,000 a Year as 9 in 10 Are Deemed Avoidable

Q: Nine in ten skin cancers are avoidable. Are you making this one critical sun safety mistake?

Yes: the most common critical mistake is using sunscreen incorrectly — especially applying too little, too late, and not reapplying often enough. That matters because UV radiation is the main cause of skin damage and skin cancer, and Cancer Research UK says about nine in 10 melanoma cases are preventable. Experts say most people apply only 25% to 50% of the amount used in SPF testing, which means an SPF 30 or 50 product may protect far less than the label suggests. For adults, the NHS advises about 6 to 8 teaspoons for full-body coverage and application 15 to 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours, and sooner after swimming, sweating or towel-drying, even if the product is water-resistant. Sunscreen should be at least SPF 30 with strong UVA protection — ideally four or five stars or a UVA circle logo. Another frequent mistake is missing key areas. Ears, neck, scalp or parting line, eyelids, lips, hands and tops of the feet are often left exposed. Sunscreen also should not be treated as beach-only protection: UVA passes through clouds and glass, so everyday exposure from walking, driving or sitting by a window adds up. Sunscreen is only one layer of protection. Health experts also advise seeking shade when the UV Index is 3 or higher, especially around midday, and wearing protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses. If your sunscreen is expired or has been stored in heat, replace it — degraded products may not work properly.

Q: A revolutionary sunscreen ingredient arrives this fall. Is your current sunblock about to become obsolete?

No. The new ingredient, bemotrizinol, is a major upgrade in sunscreen options, but it does not make today’s effective sunblocks obsolete. Bemotrizinol, approved by the FDA in June 2026 and expected to begin appearing in U.S. products this fall, is the first new sunscreen active approved there in more than 20 years. It has been used for years in Europe, Asia and Australia. Experts value it because it provides broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB, is highly photostable, tends to be less irritating, absorbs less into the skin than some older chemical filters, and does not leave the white cast often associated with mineral sunscreens. That matters because UVA drives deeper skin damage and aging, while UVB causes sunburn; both raise skin cancer risk. With melanoma cases in the UK now above 20,000 a year and most considered preventable, better protection is important. But current sunscreen still works if it is broad-spectrum, at least SPF 30, and used properly. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide remain strong options, and well-formulated products using existing filters can still provide excellent protection. The bigger problem is often under-application and failure to reapply, not the lack of a new ingredient. So bemotrizinol is best seen as a better choice for many consumers, not a reason to throw out what you have. The essentials remain unchanged: use enough sunscreen, reapply every two hours, cover up, seek shade when UV is 3 or higher, and check expiry dates.

1 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jun 22

More than 20,000 new melanoma cases are now diagnosed annually in the UK—the first time the total has crossed that threshold, according to Cancer Research UK.
Nine in 10 cases are thought to be avoidable, with the charity pointing to excessive UV exposure from sunbathing and sunbeds as a major driver.
A UV index of 3 or above should trigger protection measures, Cancer Research UK says, with the strongest radiation typically hitting from late morning to early afternoon.
Six to eight teaspoons of sunscreen are recommended for full-body adult coverage, the NHS says, alongside reapplication every two hours and added protection from clothing, hats and shade.