GPs in Portsmouth back sun awareness campaign

The annual initiative, which is this week, is championed by the British Association of Dermatologists. Three Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are advising sun-seekers to take sensible precautions.

Dr Jim Hogan, chief clinical officer for NHS Portsmouth CCG, said: ‘Most skin cancers are caused by too much sun.

‘We don’t want to stop people from enjoying the sun and certainly don’t suggest that you avoid it completely, as it is an important source of vitamin D.’

Experts recommend being in the shade when the sun is strongest, covering up and using sun screen with a protection factor of at least 15.