Sun Safety for Sports: Protecting Athletes from the Risks of Skin Cancer

Sunburn doubles the risk of melanoma later in life. Underscoring the importance of sun protection in all outdoor activities, particularly football, where shade is scarce and outdoor exposure is often prolonged. Implementing an efficient sun protection regime during training sessions and summer tournaments can pose challenges.

Kent FA has joined forces with the Melanoma Fund to enhance sun safety protocols, an initiative seeking to foster healthier habits and increase awareness about the risks of skin cancer among coaches and young players, ensuring their well-being remains a top priority, making it easy and accessible for all. melanoma-fund.co.uk/ok-sun-safety-code

With rates of melanoma skin cancer hitting all-time high in UK, a recent study highlights a substantial rise in the number of cases over the past decade, particularly among older people. New diagnoses increased by almost a third from 21 to 28 in every 100,000 people between 2007-09 and 2017-19, according to Cancer Research UK (CRUK) figures, with a 57% rise among the over-80s and a 7% rise in those aged 25 to 49.

The difference in trends is thought to reflect a greater awareness among younger people of the link between ultraviolet (UV) light and skin cancer risk. Older people knew less about the dangers of tanning and were the first generation exposed to the cheap package-holiday boom that began in the 1960s.

The warning comes a month after doctors at University College London hospital launch a phase-three trial into a potentially “game changing” mRNA-based cancer vaccine for melanoma. The personalised treatment, which primes the immune system to attack the patient’s cancer cells, is in further trials for lung, bladder and kidney cancer.

CRUK’s Chief Executive, Michelle Mitchell said: “The fact that the majority of these cases are preventable underlines the importance of people taking sun safety seriously.”

Dr Claire Knight, Senior Health Information Manager at CRUK added: “Getting sunburnt just once every two years can triple the risk of developing skin cancer, compared with never being burnt. It’s important to protect yourself from too much sun, especially if you burn easily remembering that sun burn doesn’t only happen when it’s hot, it can happen on cooler or cloudier days too.”

CRUK advises people to spend time in the shade, particularly between 11am and 3pm; to cover up with clothes, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-protection sunglasses; and regularly apply a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and four or five stars.

Research commissioned by Kopparberg in partnership with the Melanoma Fund, revealed nearly 6 in 10 Brits skip sunscreen when attending live football matches or screenings in pub gardens.

In response Kopparberg, handed out hundreds of specially manufactured UPF40 football shirts at pubs and bars across England and Scotland during the Euros and through their social channels. The shirts were created with special UPF40 material that blocks 97.5% of UV rays, designed to keep football fans safe while they watch this year’s big matches and raise awareness of the importance of UV protection in the sun through the large UPF rating and UV colour scale on the back of the shirt.

Nancy Dales, Brand Manager at Kopparberg, said: “With sunnier days approaching, raising awareness about sun protection is important. We’ve introduced our UPF40 football jerseys and a range of SPF products as part of our ‘Drink Responsibly This Summer’ campaign, through which we’re not just offering delicious refreshment on sunny days but also protection, ensuring that every outdoor experience is both enjoyable and safe.”

Michelle Baker, CEO of the Melanoma Fund, said: “Sunburn doubles the risk of melanoma, the most dangerous forms of skin cancer, which is largely preventable by practicing proper sun safety like seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying SPF30+ sunscreen. This is precisely why our partnership with Kopparberg is so important, highlighting these issues and responsible drinking along with sun-safe habits this summer. Our specific tips around the importance of sun safety when socialising outdoors has been including within our Sunguarding Outdoors campaign, ensuring the focus can then be on enjoying summer, friends, football and fun.”

SUNBURN THE RISKS

Repeat sunburns put you at a substantial risk for skin cancer and premature skin aging. For fair-skinned people, especially those with genetic predisposition, sunburn plays a clear role in developing melanoma. Research shows that the UV rays that damage skin can also alter a tumour-suppressing gene, giving injured cells less chance to repair before progressing to cancer.

People who work or play sports outdoors have a greater risk of frequent sunburns that can result in skin cancer.

Even one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles your chances of developing melanoma later in life.

Skin damage builds up over time starting with your very first sunburn. The more you burn, the greater your risk of skin cancer. Subsequent UV damage can occur even when there is no obvious burn. Reduce your risk of skin cancer, learn from the burn, practice sun safety.

SUNBURN TREATMENT AND RELIEF

Act fast to cool it down if you’re near a cold pool, lake or ocean, take a quick dip to cool your skin, but only for a few seconds so you don’t prolong your exposure. Then cover up and get out of the sun immediately. Continue to cool the burn with cold compresses. You can use ice to make ice water for a cold compress, but don’t apply ice directly to the sunburn. Or take a cool shower or bath, but not for too long, which can be drying, and avoid harsh soap, which might irritate the skin even more.

Moisturize while skin is damp, use a gentle moisturizing lotion (but not petroleum or oil-based ointments, which may trap the heat and make the burn worse). Repeat to keep burned or peeling skin moist over the next few days.

Decrease the Inflammation if it is safe for you to do so, take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin at the first sign of sunburn to help with discomfort and inflammation and continue with the NSAIDs as directed on the label until the burn feels better. You can also use an over-the-counter 1 percent cortisone cream as directed for a few days to help calm redness and swelling. Aloe vera may also soothe mild burns and is generally considered safe. Continue with cool compresses to help discomfort, wear loose, soft, breathable clothing to avoid further skin irritation and stay out of the sun entirely until the sunburn heals.

Replenish your fluids Burns draw fluid to the skin’s surface and away from the rest of the body, so you may become dehydrated. It’s important to rehydrate by drinking extra liquids, including water and sports drinks that help to replenish electrolytes, immediately and while your skin heals.

Seek medical help if you or a child has severe blistering over a large portion of the body, has a fever and chills or is woozy or confused. Don’t scratch or pop blisters, which can lead to infection. Signs of infection include red streaks or oozing pus. Your skin will heal, but real damage has been done.

“Your risk of developing potentially deadly melanoma DOUBLES with a history of 5 or more sunburns” www.skincancer.org

Mr Siva Kumar, Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon adds: “As a melanoma surgeon, I read with concern the recent issues highlighting the rising rates of melanoma in the UK. This trend underscores the critical importance of regular skin checks and early consultation with healthcare professionals.”

“Melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer, can develop rapidly and spread if not detected early. The article's statistics are alarming but not surprising, given increased exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and tanning beds, coupled with a lack of adequate sun protection practices among the public. Early detection is paramount in the fight against melanoma. When identified in its initial stages, melanoma is highly treatable, often through surgical excision alone. However, once it progresses to more advanced stages, treatment becomes more complex and the prognosis significantly worsens.”

Regular skin checks, both self-examinations and professional evaluations, play a vital role in early detection. Individuals should perform monthly self-examinations, paying close attention to new moles or changes in existing ones. The ABCDE rule—checking for Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Colour variation, Diameter greater than 6mm, and Evolving characteristics—is a helpful guide. However, self-checks should complement, not replace, professional skin assessments. Skin specialists have the expertise to identify suspicious lesions that might be overlooked.”

The Importance of Career Ending Insurance Cover

Whilst the risk of injury and illness may be unavoidable, its financial impact can be significantly mitigated with the proper planning and the correct cover. A player’s contract determines how long their club is obliged to pay their salary after they sustain a serious or career ending injury.

This timeframe is governed by the contract and a country’s legislation, which varies from one country to another. If the worst happens to a player, their club can terminate their contract and, in some cases, stop paying their salary after six months.

Having a personal accident and illness policy can therefore safeguard a player’s financial future should the unthinkable happen.

As long serving business partners of the PFA, Pro-Secure is the only football insurance recommended and endorsed by the PFA protecting careers and ensuring financial stability.

Pro-Secure policies cover career-ending injuries, safeguarding professional players against the financial impact of unexpected accidents, on and off the pitch.