Britons are missing vital weather warnings that could help reduce their risk of skin cancer. New figures show more than 70% of people questioned in a special survey do not know what the UV Index is despite its frequent appearance on TV weather forecasts and websites.
The results of the survey, commissioned by Boots to support Cancer Research UK's SunSmart campaign, are being released on the first day of Sun Awareness Week to highlight the importance of knowing your skin type and when to protect yourself from burning in the sun to reduce your risk of skin cancer.
To help people understand what the UV Index means to them, Boots and Cancer Research UK have created a Celebrity UV Guide, using star skin types as a guide to when people should cover up.
| Celebrity Skin Type |
When should you cover up in the summer 11am-3pm? |
Very fair, burns easily e.g.
Renee Zellweger, Kelly Osbourne, Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Kidman, Marcia Cross (Desperate Housewives), Ewan McGregor, Rhys Ifans, Prince Harry |
UV Index 2-3 and higher |
Fair but tans e.g.
Colleen McLoughlin, Sienna Miller, Jennifer Aniston, Victoria Beckham, Teri Hatcher (Desperate Housewives), Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, David Beckham |
UV Index 3 and higher |
Olive or brown e.g.
Jennifer Lopez, Penelope Cruz, Laila Rouass, Parminder Nagra, Eva Longoria and Jesse Metcalf (Desperate Housewives), Amir Kahn, Ronaldo |
UV Index 5 and higher |
Black e.g.
Naomi Campbell, June Sarpong, Venus and Serena Williams, Will Smith, Lemar, Denzel Washington |
UV Index 6 and higher |
Over exposure to ultra violet rays measured by the UV Index causes skin cancer, one of the most common cancers in the UK. Developed by the World Health Organisation, the UV Index is a way of describing the maximum strength of the UV radiation for a particular day from the sun. It is a more accurate indication of the potential for sunburn than the temperatures forecast each day.
The Index ranges from one (the lowest) to 20 (the highest). However, it is rare for the Index to go above eight in the UK, so the upper limit used in UK forecasts tends to be 10.