Gardeners should take care in the sun

A natural part of being a garden and greenhouse enthusiast is spending time exposed to the elements, but growers might be interested in comments about the increasing rate of skin cancer in the UK.

One of the main factors in damage to the epidermis is overexposure to the suns rays – something that should be avoided, it has been suggested.

Information should be targeted at certain groups and made clearer in order to be effective, according to the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD).

It cited evidence from Kings College London, which showed skin cancer is on the increase, with melanoma incidences rising noticeably over the last 30 years.

The evidence revealed those with a large number of moles are at greater risk of developing the condition.

Commenting, BAD spokesperson Rebecca Freeman warned people should protect themselves from the sun.

She said: "Certain people are at higher risk of melanoma and sun safety messages have not always explained this very clearly, but have instead targeted the population as a whole rather than those at most risk."

Those who spend a lot of time in their garden or greenhouse might take on the advice and use a hat and sunscreen to place a barrier between them and harmful rays.