In conjunction with the arrival of spring - and with it, the sun - in Sweden, the Cancer Foundation has observed a trend on social media. Mainly young people use apps that measure UV index to maximize their sunbathing.
The idea behind the apps is that they should warn of dangerous levels of UV index, but they are being used in reverse. And this is something that worries the Cancer Foundation.
"This is a dangerous development. Consciously seeking strong sun to get a tan faster increases the risk of skin cancer," says Fanny Pontan, nurse and expert in oncology at the Cancer Foundation, in a press release.
Aware young people
When TT asks three young sun worshippers in Stockholm if they are aware of the phenomenon, the answer is a resounding "no."
I only use the weather app on my phone to see the UV index, but it's not like I use it to see when it's at its highest. But on the other hand, it's not the opposite either, says Sara Bodin and tells us that she thinks about the dangers of sunbathing too much:
I wear sunscreen on my face all year round. I've started doing that in recent years. I think it's because people talk more and more about it. Skin care is a growing trend and that includes protecting oneself from the sun. Maybe mostly because the sun is aging, but you know it's also dangerous.
"Not high UV"
Sara Bodin's sunbathing friend Beata Afola also tells us that she always makes sure to protect herself from the dangerous UV rays.
I always try to be careful when I'm outdoors. But at the same time, I don't think the UV index is that high in Sweden all the time, she says.
Skin cancer is one of the most common and fastest-growing forms of cancer in Sweden, writes the Cancer Foundation. Over 17,000 people receive a skin cancer diagnosis every year. Almost all cases of malignant melanoma - the most serious form - can be linked to our sun habits.
Seek shade at midday, between 11 am and 3 pm, when the sun is strongest.
Protect your skin with clothing and a hat. This is especially important for children.
Use sunscreen, choose a sun protection factor of 30 or higher with both UVA and UVB protection.
Don't use sunbeds.
Source: Cancer Foundation
