What is the UV index?

Cancer

The UVI is a measure of the level of UV radiation.

The values of the index range from zero upward - the higher the UVI, the greater the potential for damage to the skin and eye, and the less time it takes for harm to occur.

The UVI is an important vehicle to alert people about the need to use sun protection.

A marked increase in the incidence of skin cancer in fair-skinned populations worldwide is strongly associated with excessive UV radiation exposure from the sun and possibly artificial sources such as sunbeds. Current evidence indicates that personal habits in relation to sun exposure constitute the most important individual risk factor for UV radiation damage.

The UV Index is an important vehicle to raise public awareness of the risks of excessive exposure to UV radiation, and to alert people about the need to adopt protective measures. As part of an international effort, the UV index was developed by WHO, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the World Meteorological Organization. Encouraging people to reduce their sun exposure can decrease harmful health effects and significantly reduce health care costs.

How can the UV index help me to protect myself?

The UVI gives an indication of the level of UV radiation and the potential danger of sun exposure. It can help individuals make healthy choices.

Most people are used to adjusting their daily plans and choice of clothing to the weather forecast, especially to temperature predictions. Analogous to the temperature scale, the UVI gives an indication of the level of UV radiation and the potential danger of sun exposure. It can help individuals make healthy choices.

Step 1: Find out today’s UV Index

Step 2: Check out the recommended sun protection.

UV index

Action

0 to 2

You can safely enjoy being outside!

3 to 7

Seek shade during midday hours! Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on hat!

8

Avoid being outside during midday hours! Make sure you seek shade! Shirt, sunscreen and hat are a must!

Even for very sensitive fair-skinned people, the risk of short-term and long-term UV damage below a UVI of 2 is limited, and under normal circumstances no protective measures are needed. If sun protection is required, this should include all protective means, i.e. clothing and sunglasses, shade and sunscreen.

Where is the UV index reported?

In many countries the UVI is reported along with the weather forecast in newspapers, on TV and on the radio; however, this is usually only done during the summer months.

UV Index reporting for a range of countries and in many different languages.

Cancer Useful Resources

Cancer Focus NI can provide a wide range of presentations to meet the needs of your...
Writing is well-known to have therapeutic benefits – it gives you a voice and a way of...
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, they may experience feelings of shock, anger, or...
As part of this community, you can talk about whatever you want, from diagnosis to...
The important thing to remember when you’re affected by prostate disease is that you’re...
We’re a supportive and safe place for people with stage 4 bowel cancer living in the UK,...
The Quick Fit programme offers positive steps to improve your health through diet and...
Affected by breast cancer? Join this group to share experiences and ask questions to...
Thrive is a community and safe space for younger women to connect with and support each...
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, they may experience feelings of shock, anger, or...
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, they may experience feelings of shock, anger, or...
The Cancer Focus NI Well Aware service is aimed at the over 60s and is offered in a range...
Macmillan nurses are specialist cancer nurses with experience and qualifications in...
Prostate Cancer UK have a team of trained volunteers throughout the UK who carry out...
Bowel Cancer UK Community — a place for anyone affected by bowel cancer to talk about...
After surgery and treatment for breast cancer, some women feel less confident about their...
Cancer Focus NI is the only local cancer charity to provide a free cancer information and...
LearnZone provides free and easy access to a wide variety of learning resources , online...
Cancer Focus Northern Ireland’s Email Forum – or E Forum – helps us keep up to date with...
Going through cancer can be an isolating experience at any time, and especially when...
A healthy diet and regular physical activity may help you manage the effects of prostate...
We rely on our incredible volunteers to help us spread the word about prostate cancer,...
We know that money is a big and often difficult thing to talk about when you’re living...
There are a number of health campaigns throughout the year to raise awareness of...
Cancer Focus NI’s Art therapy service is for anyone affected by cancer. Art therapy helps...
Bupa is working in partnership with Macmillan to offer up to 6 free one-to-one...
Cancer Focus Northern Ireland’s Email Forum – or E Forum – helps us keep up to date with...
Fatigue support is a telephone programme which includes 4 appointments with a Specialist...
The Sexual support service is a chance for you, or your partner, to talk to one of our...
Welcome to the Caregiver Help & Support group. We're a supportive and safe place for...
‘Engage’ training is a comprehensive one day programme which seeks to address the current...
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, they may experience feelings of shock, anger, or...
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, they may experience feelings of shock, anger, or...
When an adult in the family is diagnosed with cancer it affects the entire family. It can...
There are so many ways to get involved, from cheering on a marathon runner to...
Cancer Focus NI, Keeping Well vans are mobile drop-in units which bring health checks,...
Our nurses are here to help. They can provide you with information, and signpost you to...
Zest for Life is a free 6-week programme led by a Cancer Focus NI facilitator. The course...
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, they may experience feelings of shock, anger, or...
The Macmillan Online Community is a free online place for people who are living with or...
We're always looking for enthusiastic people to help with our work. We have a range of...
Whether you need help defining sparse brows and lashes, caring for nails that are...
Each month we run an online support group for men on active surveillance - a form of...
There are hundreds of prostate cancer support groups in the UK. We have details of many...
Call us for free, unbiased, confidential support and information. There's no such thing...
Someone is diagnosed every 15 minutes. What do you know about bowel cancer? Book a free...
Treatment for cancer may mean you have to make many visits to hospital to see your...
Macmillan Grants are a one-off payment of £350 to help with the extra costs that living...
We have a team of trained volunteers throughout the UK who carry out talks to groups both...
Living with prostate cancer can be hard to deal with emotionally, as well as physically...
We’re a community of people in the UK receiving immunotherapy treatment for bowel cancer...
Track your treatment and wellbeing
Support for breast cancer
Prostate Cancer UK launched a campaign to encourage men at higher risk of prostate cancer...

Cancer Helplines & Web Chats

Marie Curie - Helpline
Cancer Research UK - Helpline
Bowel Cancer UK - Forum
Bowel Cancer UK - Ask a Nurse
Macmillan Helpline
Cancer Focus - Nurse Line
Macmillan - Forum
Prostate Cancer UK - Forum
Macmillan - Ask an expert
Prostate Cancer UK - Specialist Nurse
Macmillan - Bereavement Forum