A LUDLOW GP has warned people to make sure that they do not pay a very high price for a sun tan.

Dr Caron Morton, of Station Drive Surgery, warns that doctors in the town will see skin cancer each year caused by excessive exposure to the sun.

Her advice is to stay in the shade or at least to make sure that the right suntan lotion is regularly applied and to remember that children and babies are more vulnerable to burning.

Dr Morton says that it is not just intensive sun that can cause cancer but also prolonged exposure to lower levels of light and heat. In some cases prolonged exposure to winter sun can be harmful.

“Being active and getting some sun exposure to increase your Vitamin D levels is vitally important but ensuring that five years hence you aren’t facing skin cancer is also essential,” said Dr Caron Morton.

“As a minimum your sun cream needs to have UVA rating above 4 star and SPF above 15.

“The maximum time it will work is eight hours and even if you haven’t been swimming it needs replacing at this stage.

“Very often we buy the correct factor and apply it regularly but use too little product – an average adult needs 35 ml to cover their body.

“Children require a higher SPF, their skin is more likely to burn.”

She said that what is often regarded as a healthy suntan is in fact damaged skin cells.

“Skin damage can occur both from exposure in short bursts on hot days and from constant low grade exposure, even in the winter sun, without sun protection,” added Dr Morton.

People with a lot of moles are more vulnerable to skin cancer and any mole or lesion that is irregular and has uneven pigmentation needs to be watched carefully.

If it bleeds and does not heal or is more than 5mm in size then in needs to be checked by a doctor.

There are various forms of skin cancer but malignant melanoma is the most serious.