The number of skin cancers has doubled in the past 20 years and though many cases can be treated, the disease claims the lives of more than 2500 people a year. Most of these deaths could be prevented by protecting the skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

          Skin cancer is usually caused by excessive exposure to UV light and there are three main kinds. The most common-basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma-are linked to years of sun exposure. These mainly affect older people or those who've spent a long time outside. If caught early, these types of cancer can be treated easily.

        The real killer is malignant melanoma, a cancerous mole that grows rapidly. Unless treated very early, it can easily spread to other organs. The risk of melanoma is increased by short, intense bursts of sunbathing. Sunburn is especially dangerous  and can double the risk of  this type of cancer.Melanomas don't tend to appear immediately after the skin is sunburnt  and can even appear several decades later .

        Children's skin is particularly susceptible to sun damage.

         Some of the rise in skin cancer has been caused by  the thinning ozone layer, which means more harmful UV rays can reach the Earth's surface.