Skin Cancer Is Rising. Prevention Starts With Understanding Why.

The numbers are rising. But there is also something we can do.

Skin cancer has become increasingly common in Norway. In 2025, 3,097 new cases of melanoma were registered, making melanoma one of the cancer types increasing most rapidly in Norway. Non-melanoma skin cancer is also increasing, with 3,596 registered cases in 2025.

Those numbers deserve attention. But they don't need to create fear. They give us a reason to understand the relationship between sun exposure, UV radiation and skin health — and to think about what we can realistically do differently.

UV exposure is the part we can influence

UV radiation from the sun is the main environmental cause of skin cancer. Both intense exposure and cumulative exposure over time matter, and sunbeds add another source of UV exposure. The Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority estimates that around nine out of ten cases of skin cancer in Norway are associated with intense sun, high cumulative exposure and/or sunbed use.

This doesn't mean we should avoid the sun. It means that how we experience the sun matters. Repeated sunburn, intense holiday exposure and long periods in strong sun can add considerably to the total UV dose our skin receives over a lifetime.

Protection doesn't mean staying indoors

Good sun protection is not about eliminating sunlight from your life. It is about reducing unnecessary exposure when UV levels are high. Shade, clothing, hats and sunglasses are important. Sunscreen is another useful tool, particularly on exposed areas that cannot easily be covered. The WHO and Norwegian authorities recommend using several forms of protection together, especially when the UV Index reaches 3 or higher. And the UV Index is perhaps one of the simplest tools we have.

Instead of asking:

“Is it summer?”

ask:

“What is the UV Index today?”

Prevention is about habits, not fear

The encouraging part is that UV exposure is something we can influence. We can choose shade during the strongest hours. We can wear a hat and protective clothing. We can use sunscreen generously on exposed skin. We can avoid sunbeds. And we can become better at recognising changes in our skin and having suspicious lesions assessed.

These are simple actions — but together they can make a meaningful difference. FHI notes that without sunburn and sunbed use, an estimated 2,800 cases of skin cancer could be prevented each year in Norway.

Enjoy the sun. Respect the UV.

The goal isn't to make sunlight the enemy. Being outdoors, travelling, exercising and enjoying a summer day are all part of a healthy lifestyle. The goal is simply to understand that UV radiation has consequences — and that we have more control over our exposure than we sometimes think.

Protect your skin when UV levels are high. Enjoy the outdoors. And make sensible protection part of everyday life.