Melanoma Fund launch UK's first sun protection course for outdoor recreation

Melanoma Fund launch UK's first sun protection course for outdoor recreation

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and yet it is the most preventable. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer, and the hardest to detect. Around 16,700 new melanoma cases are diagnosed in the UK every year, and there are around 2,300 deaths each year. However, if it is recognised early it is nearly 100% curable. If not, the cancer can advance and spread to other parts of the body where it becomes hard to treat and can be fatal. Therefore having knowledge and taking early action is key.

Mountain Training supports the Melanoma Fund who have launched the UK's first sun protection course. Designed to elevate standards in sun safety education and skin cancer prevention, the course will target those at the highest risk, such as young people and outdoor professionals.

If you're responsible for young people outdoors, you should be aware that young people have young skin. "It only takes a few incidences of sunburn to more than double a child's risk of getting melanoma in later life," Paediatric Dermatologist. 

'Sunguarding: Sun and heat protection for sports and outdoor recreation' is a freely accessible, online course, designed for those who work with people outdoors, from aspiring to existing professionals.

About the Melanoma Fund