Nearly half of adults left sunburnt and many are 'not protecting themselves', cancer charity warns

Many adults in the UK are getting sunburnt and some are staying in the sun too long because they believe it gives them more vitamin D, a charity warned.

Some 40% of adults reported being sunburnt, with nearly three-quarters saying they don't know the UV level they need to protect themselves.

The data also shows that more than one in three incorrectly believe they need as much sun as possible to get enough vitamin D, despite guidance recommending that short periods outdoors are enough for most people.

And around 90% of melanoma skin cancer cases are caused by sunbeds, Cancer Research UK revealed.

These figures prompted the charity to warn that people are not doing enough to protect themselves, in the wake of this summer's latest heatwaves.

The 2025 survey was from more than 4,000 UK adults, of which 1,800 said they had been sunburnt in the past year.

Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: "This survey shows that unfortunately too many people aren't protecting themselves from the sun's harmful rays, with many getting sunburnt and being unclear on when they need to protect their skin from UV rays.

"Despite claims on social media, there's no such thing as safe tanning from UV radiation. A tan is a sign of skin damage, and it doesn't protect people from further harm.

"As summer draws to a close, there's no need to chase the last of the sun. Every sunburn causes additional damage to your skin, so it's vital people protect themselves. And, as we head into autumn, don't be fooled by cooler temperatures - UV levels can still be high enough to cause damage."

The charity adds that almost nine in 10 melanoma skin cancer cases are caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sun and sunbeds.

The findings add that around two-thirds of people knew the NHS recommends using sunscreen with SP30 or higher, but only 37% knew they should also look for products with a four-or-five-star UVA rating.

According to the charity. Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the US with research showing that more than 20,000 people were diagnosed with the disease in the UK in 2022 alone, a record high.

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If current trends continue there could be 26,500 new cases of the disease every year by 2040, it adds.

Some people are at higher risk of melanoma than others including those with lighter skin tones, lots of freckles or moles, or a history of burning easily.

Cancer Research UK is also reminding people to protect their skin from the sun by seeking shade when the sun is strongest, covering up with clothing and using sunscreen that is SP30 plus and four or five stars.

(c) Sky News 2026: Nearly half of adults left sunburnt and many are 'not protecting themselves', cancer charity w