What employers need to know about skin cancer

Key takeaways:
• Between 2019 and 2024, skin cancer claims rates increased by 25%, according to VitalityHealth’s Claims Insights Report[4].
• Cancer absence can have a costly impact on employers; all-cancer absence was estimated to cost UK firms £1.6bn in 2024[5].
• Employers can play an active role in prevention and early intervention by educating staff, raising awareness and offering access to screening through workplace PMI plans.

With the UK in the midst of another heatwave, people will be spending more time outdoors. To make the most of the good weather, some employers might feel tempted to encourage ‘al fresco’ working or organise team socials outdoors – but are they aware of the potential risks of spending too much time in the sun?

Whether your workforce is desk-based or out in the field, sun safety is a crucial topic and one that employers might have a big part to play. From the health and safety of outdoor workers to a duty of care for all employees, prevention is critical particularly where skin cancer is concerned.

But first, what is skin cancer?

Skin cancer can be described as the abnormal, uncontrolled growth of skin cells, typically caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight or sunbeds. It can be broadly categorised into non-melanoma and melanoma.

Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common type. It starts in the top layer of skin and can often be easily treated[1]. Melanoma skin cancer is less common, but more serious because it can spread to other areas of the body[2].

“Skin cancer is the UK's most common cancer,” explains Dr Dan Mullarkey, Vice President of Medical, Skin Analytics – a digital service available to Vitality Health members. “The good news is that the vast majority are both preventable and able to be caught early if you know what to do.”

What employers need to know about skin cancer incidence rates

Over the years, awareness about the dangers of sun exposure have increased – including laws to control sunbed usage. Despite this, incidences of melanoma skin cancer in the UK have reached a record high[3].

Between 2019 and 2024, skin cancer claims rates increased by 25%, according to VitalityHealth’s Claims Insights Report[4].

With skin cancer incidence rates on the up, this could have a knock-on effect on UK businesses. According to Reframe Cancer, cancer-related absence more generally was estimated to cost UK firms £1.6bn in 2024[5].

The number of melanoma skin cancer cases diagnosed in a year has risen above 20,000 for the first time in the UK[3]. It makes moral and business sense for employers to raise awareness of it, educate staff and help prevent it in the workplace and beyond.

Skin cancer: complacency and misinformation

But, for organisations to do this effectively, it’s crucial for them to understand what the latest skin cancer trend data is showing.

What really stands out in the latest trend data is that the younger generation is contributing significantly to the growth in cases. This seems to be largely driven by a resurgence of interest in sunbeds; 43% of 18–25-year-olds report sunbed usage, in comparison to 28% of UK adults overall[6].

Yet, skin cancer still represents an all-age problem and one that could impact different pockets of you workforce.

"Skin cancer is the UK's most common cancer"

Dr Dan Mullarkey, Vice President of Medical, Skin Analytics

For example, the higher incidence rate in men is often put down to a ‘sun’s out, shirts off’ attitude. Vitality polling found that many men are still shrugging off basic sun safety; 13% of British men believe that sun protection isn’t necessary; and 14% admit to not caring if they get sunburnt[7].

For employers, it’s also worth noting that outdoor workers are particularly at risk. Despite comprising around 8% of the UK workforce, construction workers account for 44% of occupational skin cancer diagnoses[8].

Why prevention matters

As Dr Mullarkey explained, the majority of skin cancers are preventable and can be caught early if people are aware of what to look out for. Employers can therefore play an active role in prevention, early intervention and diagnosis in the following ways:

• Raise awareness of skin cancer – what it is, the causes, the misconceptions and how to prevent it.
• Provide sun-protective equipment for those working outdoors – plus training to ensure its properly utilised.
• Provide access to skin cancer screening – to help support earlier detection and better outcomes for more people.

For Dr Yvonne Beresford, Commercial Medical Director at VitalityHealth, employer-led prevention is crucial because knowledge on its own isn’t always enough to change behaviour.

“Employers are in a good position to make prevention feel normal and practical,” Dr Beresford explains. “Organisations can reach people at scale, repeat the message regularly, and build in simple prompts such as UV alerts, sunscreen availability, outdoor working guidance, or awareness campaigns.

“This is particularly important for people in outdoor or high-exposure roles, where UV exposure is part of the working day rather than an occasional risk.

“Given that many skin cancers are preventable, this is an area where employers can make a meaningful difference by helping people build better habits before problems develop,” Dr Beresford adds.

Raising awareness of sun safety and sharing tips with your workforce

Aside from “avoiding sunbeds entirely”, Dr Mullarkey refers to the following three practical steps laid out on the Cancer Research website that can help improve sun safety[9]:

• Seek shade; particularly between 11am and 3pm when UV levels are at their highest.
• Cover up; with clothing that protects shoulders, a wide-brimmed hat and UV-protective sunglasses.
• Wear sunscreen; at least SPF 30 with 4 or 5 stars. Use it generously and regularly, alongside shade and clothing rather than as a substitute for them.

Beyond protecting your skin, Dr Mullarkey says it’s crucial to encourage your employees to get to know their own skin. “Check yourself regularly for new or changing moles or lesions, particularly anything that is asymmetrical, has an uneven border, contains multiple colours, is larger than 6mm, or is changing over time.

“It’s a common misconception that skin cancer only presents as a new or changing mole. It can present as anything from a rough-scaly patch, or a firm red nodule, to a non-healing ulcer or scar. The practical message is this: if you’re in any doubt, get it checked out. Early detection saves lives,” Dr Mullarkey adds.

The crucial of role PMI in early detection

Services such as cancer screening, which are often an integral part of workplace benefits like private medical insurance (PMI) cover, can play a key role in prevention and early detection.

For employers, this can create opportunities to offer faster routes to screening, testing and early diagnosis. “The role of Vitality PMI is preventative care in a very practical sense,” Dr Beresford says.

To support with the early detection of skin cancer, employers with qualifying health insurance plans can give their employees access to the Skin Analytics Service, enabling them to have moles and skin lesions analysed for signs of skin cancer from the comfort of their own home.

Dr Beresford says: “It’s not about waiting until someone becomes seriously unwell, it’s about helping people spot problems early, accessing the right care quickly and avoiding unnecessary escalation where possible.

“In that sense, skin cancer screening is low effort, but potentially high impact. It supports better outcomes, a better member experience and lower downstream costs,” she concludes.

[1] What is non-melanoma skin cancer? NHS, June 2026
[2] What is melanoma skin cancer? NHS, June 2026
[3] Melanoma skin cancer cases in UK hit record level, analysis finds, The Guardian, May 2026
[4] Vitality 2025 Health Claims and Insights Report, Vitality, October 2025
[5] The £1.6bn cancer absence cost to UK business in 2024, Reframe Cancer, May 2024
[6] 28% of adults are using sunbeds as skin cancer rates rise, Melanoma Focus, May 2024
[7] Research was conducted by Opinium by 1,000 UK men respondents aged 18+, in July 2025, Vitality
[8] How to manage skin cancer risks on construction sites, Construction Management, May 2025
[9] How does the sun and UV cause cancer? Cancer Research UK

Related: Supporting staff returning to work following cancer treatment