Written question asked by Bruce George (Labour) on Thursday, 4 June 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 June 2009. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Friday, 12 June 2009 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Skin Cancer: Health Education

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent steps he has taken to increase levels of public awareness of skin cancer.

Answer: SunSmart is the national skin cancer and sun protection campaign and is run by Cancer Research UK on behalf of the UK Health Departments. The 2009 campaign highlights the rising rate of skin cancer, focuses on teenagers and young people, and aims to raise public awareness of the dangers of sunbeds and sunburn. It offers practical information on protecting the skin in the sun. As well as engaging with the media to promote skin cancer prevention, the SunSmart website"www.info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/sunsmart/"provides information and advice and downloadable resources on the risks to health of sunbeds and sunburn. The campaign has also created interventions to reach young people through social networking sites.

Secondary information