Sun Exposure Report Warns of Growing Skin Cancer Risks

Health authorities and cancer experts in Kenya are raising concern over rising ultraviolet (UV) exposure, warning that increased sun exposure—driven in part by climate change and behavior—is heightening the risk of skin cancer. The National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI) has launched a public education campaign targeting not only the general population, but also high-risk groups, to promote protective measures and early detection.
A major risk factor highlighted in the warnings is excessive UV radiation, which can damage DNA, suppress the immune system, and lead to the development of both non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers. Experts say that while people with darker skin may have some natural protection due to higher melanin, they are not immune; skin cancers in darker-skinned individuals are often diagnosed at later, more dangerous stages.
A 2021 report on Kenya’s National Albinism Sunscreen Support Programme warns that people with albinism face particularly high risk: without effective sun protection, many develop skin cancers at young ages, some even before age 30. This reality has renewed calls for affordable photoprotective measures, especially now that the World Health Organization has added sunscreen to its Essential Medicines List for vulnerable groups.
To reduce risk, NCI recommends simple but effective measures: seek shade during peak sun hours, wear UV-protective clothing and wide-brimmed hats, use broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), and undergo regular skin checks. Public health advocates stress that with rising temperatures and UV levels due to climate change, understanding and acting on sun safety is more important than ever.