A confidential position statement being prepared by Cancer Research UK, in collaboration with other health organisations, goes against its own longstanding advice regarding sun exposure.

The current ‘Sunsmart’ campaign, launched in March 2003 by Cancer Research UK and commissioned by the UK Health Department, advises that people stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm, and to cover the skin with clothing hats and sunscreen if out.

However, many experts feel that this advice has been overly precautionary – a line reportedly taken up by Cancer Research UK in its forthcoming position statement, which was leaked to a national newspaper.

Efforts to avoid the increased risks of skin cancer that come with sunburn may have resulted in an increased risk of other illnesses caused by a Vitamin D deficiency, which the body can only produce when skin is exposed to sunlight.

The draft position statement attempts to reflect the latest scientific evidence by balancing skin cancer prevention with the need to make sufficient Vitamin D. It has been calculated that an average fair-skinned adult requires only 15 minutes in the sun, two or three times a week, in order to create enough Vitamin D.

Despite the need for sunlight, Sara Hiom – director of health information at CRUK – has been quick to state that the charity will not be advising the public to expose themselves to the sun without protection.

"The very fact that messages around safe sun exposure times cannot be generalised to the population means that our advice needs to be general and is, and will remain, to enjoy the sun safely, spend time in the shade around midday and know your own skin type."