Skin cancer rates keep climbing in fair-skinned people across Europe, the US, and Australia, even though we’ve been teaching sun safety for decades. Scientists realized our current messages aren’t working well enough, so they created a new educational leaflet with clearer, simpler advice. The key messages focus on avoiding intentional sun exposure, using shade and protective clothing first, and treating sunscreen as backup protection. The leaflet also addresses common worries like vitamin D and sunscreen safety. Experts hope this new approach will help more people actually protect their skin and reduce skin cancer cases.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How to create better sun safety messages that actually get people to protect their skin from harmful UV rays
  • Who participated: Skin cancer experts, public health researchers, doctors, patient groups, and organizations focused on cancer prevention worked together to develop and refine the educational materials
  • Key finding: A new educational leaflet with three main messages—avoid intentional sun exposure, use shade and clothing as your first defense, and use sunscreen as extra protection—was created through expert feedback and scientific evidence
  • What it means for you: You may find clearer, more practical sun protection advice that’s easier to understand and follow. This approach prioritizes the most effective protection methods (shade and clothing) rather than relying mainly on sunscreen

The Research Details

Researchers didn’t conduct a traditional experiment with test groups. Instead, they used a careful process to create better sun safety education materials. They started by reviewing all the scientific evidence about what actually prevents skin cancer. Then they wrote clear, simple messages based on that evidence. These messages went through multiple rounds of feedback from different experts—dermatologists (skin doctors), epidemiologists (disease researchers), public health specialists, people who’ve had skin cancer, and cancer prevention organizations. Each group reviewed the materials and suggested improvements until everyone agreed the messages were clear, accurate, and practical.

This approach is called evidence-based development, which means the final product is built on solid scientific research rather than guessing what might work. The team followed official guidelines for creating health education materials to make sure they did it the right way.

Current sun safety campaigns haven’t been effective enough—skin cancer rates are still rising despite decades of public education. By carefully developing new messages with input from multiple experts and real people affected by skin cancer, the researchers created materials more likely to actually change how people behave. The process of getting feedback from different perspectives helps ensure the messages address real concerns people have and are presented in ways that resonate with different audiences.

This research is strong because it involved multiple types of experts (doctors, researchers, public health officials) and included patient perspectives. The materials were refined through multiple feedback rounds, which helps catch problems and improve clarity. However, this study describes the development process rather than testing whether the new messages actually reduce skin cancer rates—that would require a separate study following people over time. The leaflet is freely available, which is good for public access.

What the Results Show

The research team created a new educational leaflet with three core messages: (1) Avoid intentional sun exposure and tanning, (2) Use shade and protective clothing as your main UV protection strategies, and (3) Use sunscreen as an additional protective measure, not your only defense.

These three messages represent a shift in how sun safety is typically communicated. Rather than emphasizing sunscreen as the primary protection (which is what many people focus on), this approach puts shade and clothing first. This matters because shade and clothing provide more complete protection—they block UV rays from reaching your skin entirely, whereas sunscreen only reduces the rays that get through.

The leaflet also includes practical information about protecting children from the sun, explains why tanning beds are dangerous, and gives guidance on checking your skin for warning signs of cancer. It addresses common concerns people have, like whether avoiding sun exposure means you won’t get enough vitamin D (the answer: you can get vitamin D from food and brief sun exposure without needing to sunbathe) and whether sunscreen is safe to use (the answer: yes, when used properly).

The research highlighted the importance of addressing specific concerns that prevent people from following sun safety advice. Many people worry about vitamin D deficiency if they avoid the sun, but the evidence shows you can get adequate vitamin D through diet and incidental sun exposure during daily activities. Others worry sunscreen itself is harmful, but the scientific evidence supports its safety when used as directed. The leaflet also emphasizes that sun protection is especially important for children, whose skin is more vulnerable to UV damage that can lead to cancer later in life. The research team recognized that tanning beds pose a significant risk and deserve specific warnings.

Previous sun safety campaigns have focused heavily on sunscreen use, but this approach hasn’t stopped rising skin cancer rates. This new leaflet takes a different approach by prioritizing shade and protective clothing, which are more effective barriers against UV rays. The shift reflects current scientific understanding that sunscreen alone is insufficient and that behavioral changes (like avoiding intentional sun exposure and seeking shade) are more important than previously emphasized. The inclusion of evidence-based answers to common concerns is also newer—many past campaigns didn’t address why people resist sun protection advice.

This study describes how the educational materials were created but doesn’t test whether they actually work. To know if these new messages reduce skin cancer rates, researchers would need to follow people over many years and compare cancer rates between those who received the new leaflet and those who didn’t. The study also doesn’t specify exactly how many experts provided feedback or detail their specific suggestions, so we can’t see the complete development process. Additionally, while the leaflet is designed to be internationally adaptable, it may need cultural adjustments for different countries and communities to be most effective.

The Bottom Line

If you have fair skin, follow these evidence-based recommendations with high confidence: (1) Limit intentional sun exposure, especially during peak hours (10 AM to 4 PM), (2) Seek shade whenever possible, (3) Wear protective clothing like long sleeves and hats, (4) Use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) as an additional layer of protection, not your only defense, (5) Avoid tanning beds completely, and (6) Check your skin regularly for new or changing spots. These recommendations apply to all fair-skinned people but are especially important for children and those with a family history of skin cancer.

This research is most relevant for fair-skinned people living in sunny climates (Europe, United States, Australia, and similar regions) where skin cancer rates are highest. It’s particularly important for parents protecting children, people who spend significant time outdoors, and anyone with a personal or family history of skin cancer. People with darker skin tones have lower skin cancer risk but can still benefit from sun protection. Healthcare providers, public health officials, and organizations focused on cancer prevention should care about this research because it offers better ways to communicate sun safety.

You won’t see immediate results from better sun protection—skin cancer develops over years or decades from cumulative UV exposure. However, you may notice benefits within weeks: less sunburn, less skin damage, and better overall skin health. The real benefit comes over years and decades: significantly lower risk of developing melanoma or other skin cancers. Starting sun protection now, even if you’ve had sun exposure in the past, still reduces your future cancer risk.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily sun exposure time and protection methods used. Log: (1) minutes spent in direct sun, (2) shade usage (yes/no and duration), (3) protective clothing worn (hat, long sleeves, etc.), and (4) sunscreen application (yes/no and SPF level). This helps identify patterns and areas for improvement.
  • Set a daily reminder to check the UV index before going outside. When UV index is high (6 or above), plan outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon, or choose indoor alternatives. When you must be outside, use the app to plan your protection strategy: identify nearby shade, set a timer for sunscreen reapplication every 2 hours, and track which protective clothing you’re wearing.
  • Monthly, review your sun exposure patterns to identify high-risk times and situations. Take monthly photos of any moles or spots you’re monitoring for changes (size, color, shape, or itching). Use the app to track skin checks and set reminders for professional skin exams annually or as recommended by your doctor. Over time, this data shows whether you’re successfully reducing intentional sun exposure and improving your protection habits.

This research describes the development of educational materials about sun protection but does not test their effectiveness in preventing skin cancer. The information provided is for educational purposes and should not replace advice from your healthcare provider. If you have concerns about skin cancer risk, have a family history of skin cancer, or notice changes in your skin, consult a dermatologist or your doctor. This content is based on current scientific evidence but medical recommendations may change as new research emerges. Always follow your healthcare provider’s personalized recommendations for sun protection based on your individual risk factors.