Spanish Association Against Cancer reports high UV exposure outside summer

A study by the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) reveals that 60% of solar radiation is received outside of the summer months, yet approximately 22% of adults do not take any sun protection measures during these periods.

Presented in Mallorca as part of the ‘Objetivo Cero Melanoma 2026’ campaign, the report analyzed 3,048 interviews with parents across Spain. The findings highlight that skin cancer incidence in Spain has increased by 40% over the last four years, exceeding 15,000 cases in 2024. Between 80% and 95% of these cases are directly linked to ultraviolet radiation.

The research emphasizes that children under 15 are more exposed to the sun than their parents, often in everyday settings perceived as low-risk, such as parks (73.5%) and educational centers (64.1%). Dr. Karen Ramírez, an epidemiologist with the AECC, stressed the need to integrate sun protection into daily family and school routines year-round, noting that damage accumulates throughout life.