Sophie van Brugen
BBC News
BBC
Pupils at Platt Primary school in Maidstone learn about sun protection
Children as young as five are being taught how to check UV levels and apply sunscreen, as part of a new pilot aimed at reducing future skin cancer cases.
The initiative, currently being trialled in primary schools across Kent, is planned to be introduced into Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) lessons nationwide from 2026.
Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is linked to UV exposure – and experts say sunburn in childhood significantly increases the risk later in life.
In 2021, around 18,300 people were diagnosed with melanoma in the UK, according to Cancer Research. That figure is projected to rise to 21,300 by 2026, the charity says.
Michelle Baker, from the charity Melanoma Fund, which is behind the education project, said changing children’s habits early is key.
“People think melanoma is an older person’s disease,” she says, “but it’s often seeded in childhood.”
She says the project aims to “grow skin cancer out of the next generation”.
Giving children a sense of control and responsibility for their sun protection is central to this. “We’re saying this is your superpower,” she adds.
At Platt Primary school in Maidstone, pupils are learning to read UV indexes, apply sunscreen properly, and understand when they need protection.
Headteacher Emma Smith said the pupils have been “really receptive”.
“If we educate them early, they’re more likely to keep that knowledge as they get older – especially when social media starts to influence their choices.”
No ‘safe tan’
The childhood sun safety drive comes as Cancer Research UK says the rise in melanoma cases among adults is a particular cause for concern.
A recent study from the charity found that cancer deaths cost the UK economy £10.3bn a year, more than any other health condition – underlining the importance of preventative measures.
Consultant dermatologist Dr Katie Lacy says that educating children about how to look after their skin is key to reducing melanoma rates.
Research shows that nine out of 10 cases are caused by UV exposure from the sun and sunbeds.
Getting sunburnt regularly increases the chances of skin cancer. Dr Lacy stresses there is no such thing as a “safe tan”, explaining that tanning is a response to skin damage.
“I wish I’d known”: Melanoma survivor’s warning after diagnosis at 29
“Most melanomas don’t come from existing moles – so if you notice something new, get it checked,” she adds.
She also highlights the growing role of AI in screening suspicious moles within the NHS – which could help streamline referrals to specialist services.
The ABCDE checklist can help identify if a mole is abnormal:
A – asymmetrical (does the mole have an uneven shape?)
B – border (are the edges blurry or jagged?)
C – colour (is it an uneven colour with different shades and tones?)
D – diameter (is the mole bigger than your other ones?)
E – evolving (is it changing, such as starting to itch, bleed or become crusty?)
Source: Cancer Research UK
For Kara Leece, diagnosed with melanoma at 29, the message is personal.
“If I’d had that education at primary school, I think I could’ve prevented it,” she told BBC News.
“Now I have a scar that reminds me of what I’ve been through. When children ask about it, I tell them my story – because I don’t want this to happen to anyone else.”
Tips for keeping kids sun safe
- Try to keep children in the shade between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its strongest
- Kit them out with wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and clothing to cover their skin.
- Sunscreen is also very important – apply it regularly and generously, and make sure it’s at least SPF 30 and four or five stars
Source: Cancer Research UK