Want to go to Oz, but don't want to come back looking like Madge-off-Neigbours?

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Staying safe in the sun Okay guys: we all know what’s coming. We’ve all heard it before. But to be honest, we’re not all listening. The fact is that we - women aged between 16 and 24 - are the group most likely to be trying to get a tan on holiday. And it isn’t doing us any good. The fact is that thousands more Brits are now dying of skin cancer than those notoriously-orange Aussies. So read on: it could save your life. Cancer Research UK gives the following advice on looking after yourself in the sun: Stay in the shade from 11am-3pm Find a tree. Find an umbrella. Find a pub... Don’t get burned It hurts. It seriously depletes the pleasure of physical activities, vertical or horizontal. You look like a lobster. Later, you peel, and you look like a lobster whose skin is falling off. Oh, and it can double your risk of skin cancer. Cover up Make like a hippy and wear long skirts and flowing trousers. Just don’t go all-out and start wearing cheesecloth, as loose-weave fabrics offer less protection. Take a hat with an all-round brim, and some good-quality wrap-around sunnies (go for those ones with the annoying sticker saying they give UV protection). Use factor 15+ sunscreen Your sunscreen is your friend. It works as perfume, moisturizer, life-saver and cheesy chat-up line (excuse me, Speedo-clad Adonis, I can’t reach that bit in the middle of my back...) all rolled into one. Treasure it. Buy it its own little towel for the beach... Check its SPF, the higher the better. However, higher factor creams are also more expensive - cheeky, huh? Check its use-by date, too - most only last a couple of years. Slap it on nice and thick, half an hour before going out in the sun, and reapply every couple of hours. Finally, don’t assume that just because you’re wearing cream you can stay out without burning. It’s nice stuff, but it’s not magic. Report new moles Tell your doctor if you find any unusual moles, spots, bumps, or sores that won’t heal. And remember, just because your skin is the olive type which means you go golden brown without burning does not mean you are immune to skin cancer: all skin tones are susceptible. "Back home in Australia there is a big sun awareness campaign so I've grown up conscious of the dangers of the sun. It's second nature for me to pack a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen when I go outside. I'd rather fake it than risk getting skin cancer in later life" - Holly Valance, actress and singer. This guide was created with the help of Cancer Research UK. Click here >> for Cancer Research UK's SunSmart website Click here >> for more travel health advice Click here >> to buy sun protection stuff in our online shop More safety advice Click here >> for advice on meeting local people Click here >> for advice on staying safe on public transport Click here >> for advice on alcohol and safety Click here >> for advice on self-defence Click here >> for advice on what to do if attacked overseas

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