Scots at high risk of skin cancer

Cancer Research UK has said that people in Scotland have the most danger of developing skin cancer compared to the rest of the UK.

Skin cancer rates in Scotland stand at 11% above the average for the UK.

A study by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) showed that Scots took a risky approach to sun bathing, with a few using baby oil or chip fat when tanning.

The RPS said sunbathers should always use a high protection cream in order to prevent "frying" in the sun.

It said that many people had a dangerous attitude to sunbathing and did not use sun cream to stop themselves burning or protect their skin.

The society added that despite having fair skin, one fifth of Scottish people said they "binge" tanned.

40% said they used accelerant products in order to get a darker tan more quickly.

Laura Wilson, from the RPS in Scotland, said: "This is a serious issue, I am worried that people still think the warnings about the sun do not apply to them."

"In Scotland we have higher rates of melanoma than in Australia. Scots tend to think they do not need to use sun creams at home but people must respect the sun at all times."

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