The dangers of the sun and sunbed, truths - untruths

3 June 2024

The results of the 2023 UV monitor by the Foundation Against Cancer clearly show that knowledge about the dangers of sun rays is decreasing… despite feeling better informed.

Thus, people are often convinced that applying sunscreen once a day is sufficient, and the myth that you first need to get burned to tan better resurfaces more often.

It is striking that those aged 44+ are clearly better informed about the myths than those under 35.

Young people and men remain the groups that are least well informed. For outdoor workers, better knowledge and preventive measures are urgently needed!

What about the behaviour?

The percentage of sunburns among adults, but also children, remains very high. The number of Belgians who suffer severe sunburn (blistering, chills, fever, and nausea) is 10% (in 2011, this was only 2%).

77.5% reported having been sunburned in 2023, of which 27% were severely burned. That is not a positive evolution.

From the age of 25, people are very well informed about the measures and the risk of skin cancer. Nevertheless, 1 in 3 respondents under the age of 44 still prefer to get a sunburn rather than return from vacation without a tan.

Sunburn in children is also alarming. Despite protecting themselves equally well, children are more frequently and severely sunburned compared to previous years.

Positively, Belgians seem to use sunbeds less frequently. The number of sunbed users stagnates at the low level of 2021 (9%).

Increase in the number of skin cancers

In 2021, the number of new skin cancer diagnoses rose to 49,065 in Belgium. But it is important to distinguish between the different forms of skin cancer. Protecting oneself from the sun is extremely important.

Outdoor workers are more at risk

Outdoor workers are more exposed to UV rays, putting them at greater risk of developing skin cancer. 22% of Belgians work outdoors, of whom 1 in 3 works more than 5 hours a day.

The results of the UV monitor show that they have weaker knowledge about the dangers of the sun. They protect themselves too little and believe more in myths. Moreover, they burn more often and more severely. They are also less convinced of the importance of protecting themselves from the sun.

Outdoor workers who have been exposed to UV radiation for a long time are 77% more likely than the rest of the population to develop actinic keratosis, a form of sun damage not yet malignant in itself, and squamous cell carcinoma. In addition, their risk of developing basal cell carcinoma is 43% higher.

In Europe, there are 14.5 million outdoor workers who spend at least 75% of their time working outdoors.