Third year of partnership sees Don't Ignore Cancer join efforts to make sun protection more accessible for outdoor workers
As SKCIN enters its third consecutive year of partnership with SIG Roofing, we are delighted to welcome British sun protection brand Don’t Ignore Cancer (DIC) to a shared mission of improving sun safety amongst roofers and outdoor workers across the UK.
Together, the partnership aims to raise awareness of the risks associated with occupational UV exposure, encourage the daily use of sunscreen, and make sun protection more accessible to those working outdoors.
For many years, SKCIN has worked with employers, industry bodies and policymakers to highlight the increased risk of skin cancer faced by outdoor workers through its Sun Safe Workplace initiative and wider skin cancer prevention campaigns. Outdoor workers remain one of the groups most at risk of skin cancer due to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, yet awareness and protective behaviours remain worryingly low.
This important work has recently been reinforced by the publication of the APPG for Beauty, Hair and Wellbeing’s UV Safety Report, which highlighted the increased risk faced by outdoor workers and the urgent need for greater awareness, prevention and protection.
Founded by men, for men, Don’t Ignore Cancer was created to tackle one of the biggest challenges in skin cancer prevention – engaging men in sun-safe behaviours and encouraging the routine use of sunscreen.
Russ Oliver, Founder of Don’t Ignore Cancer, said:
“Most men don’t think about suncream unless they’re going abroad. But in the UK the UV Index is above 3 for roughly 200 days a year. If you work outdoors you’re at even greater risk, but you’re likely to be more complacent about applying a high-factor sunscreen.
“We’re so proud to be partnering with SIG Roofing to reach more roofers and outside workers across the country, offering our quality product in an easy-to-reach way. We’re also really pleased that a percentage of each sale will go towards the really important work that SKCIN does in raising awareness of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, helping in the prevention and early detection of this disease.”
As part of the initiative, SIG Roofing has introduced DIC’s Daily Sun Protection Spray across its nationwide branch network, helping outdoor workers access sun protection as part of their everyday working routine.
Lotty Pritchard, Marketing Director at SIG Roofing, said:
“We are delighted to continue our charity partnership with SKCIN for a third consecutive year. Each year, we build in new initiatives to raise awareness and educate our outdoor-working staff and customers about the risks of skin cancer, and this year is no exception.
“We were introduced to Don’t Ignore Cancer earlier this year when they launched their DIC suncream. We decided to stock the product across the SIG Roofing branch network to give our customers easy access. It’s also a tangible way to raise much-needed funds for the national skin cancer prevention charity SKCIN, as a proportion of sales will be donated.
“Not only does the product’s formula, being non-sticky and having a neutral smell, address some of the questions raised in our customer research, but the standout communication also strikes a great balance of humour to get across a very serious subject.”
Importantly, the DIC product and campaign have been developed with guidance from a clinical advisory group including NHS Dermatologist Dr Amy Perkins, Clinical Scientist and Head of Scientific Services for Photobiology and Optical Radiation at the University of Dundee Dr Ewan Eadie, and global skincare R&D expert Professor Paul Matts, ensuring that both the formulation and educational messaging are grounded in scientific evidence.
Marie Tudor, CEO of SKCIN, said:
“At SKCIN, we know that men are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with – and die from – skin cancer, yet they remain one of the hardest groups to engage when it comes to prevention and early detection.
“By combining DIC’s innovative, male-focused brand with SKCIN’s expertise in awareness, prevention and early detection, we have a real opportunity to change behaviours, challenge perceptions and ultimately save lives. This partnership is about making sun protection relevant, accessible and IMPOSSIBLE to ignore for men.”
DIC’s Daily Sun Protection Spray is a 200ml SPF 30, 5-Star UVA-rated sunscreen designed for fast, easy application. The lightweight, non-greasy and water-resistant formula has been created to fit easily into gym bags, work vans and everyday routines.
The product is now available from all 104 SIG Roofing branches nationwide. With an RRP of £14.99, every bottle sold will generate a £1.50 donation to SKCIN, helping to support the charity’s ongoing work in skin cancer prevention and early detection.
As SKCIN marks 20 years of skin cancer prevention, partnerships such as these play a vital role in helping us reach high-risk groups, raise awareness of the dangers of UV exposure, and encourage simple protective behaviours that can help prevent skin cancer and save lives.
Because when it comes to outdoor workers and skin cancer, prevention shouldn’t be an afterthought — it should be part of the job.
