SAVE YOUR SKIN
Skin cancer rates to reach record high – increasing by almost a third over past decade
The rise is thought to be due to both the growing and ageing population
SKIN cancer rates have reached an all-time high, increasing by almost a third over the past decade.
Cases of melanoma are projected to reach a record high of 20,800 in Britain this year.
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Analysis by Cancer Research UK shows rates of melanoma surged from 21 to 28 per 100,000 people between 2007-09 and 2017-19.
The biggest spike has been in the over-80s, with diagnoses soaring by 57 per cent since 2014.
But 17,000 skin cancer cases every year are preventable, Cancer Research UK reports.
It says nine in ten are caused by too much ultraviolet radiation from sunlight or artificial sources such as tanning beds.
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There was also a seven per cent rise in melanoma in 25 to 49-year-olds but experts are optimistic younger people are now taking greater precautions to protect their skin.
The rise is thought to be due to both the growing and ageing population, and a better awareness of the signs of melanoma leading to a higher diagnosis rate.
And while cases have grown, survival rates have doubled in 50 years.
Michelle Mitchell, chief executive at Cancer Research UK, said: "Survival from cancers including melanoma continues to improve, demonstrating the substantial progress made possible by research.
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“But it’s vital that people try to reduce their risk of getting the disease in the first place.
I thought my rash was just an allergic reaction to my make up - it was actually cancer
“Make sure to take care in the sun and contact your GP if you notice unusual changes to your skin - whether a new or changing mole, a sore that doesn't heal, or an area of your skin that looks out of the ordinary.
"Spotting cancer early can make all the difference."
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM CANCER
UV from the sun can damage DNA in skin cells and cause skin cancer.
According to the charity, younger people are more aware of the link between the sun and skin cancer than those who are older, who may have taken advantage of the "cheap package holiday boom" from the 1960s onwards.
Figures show, however, that more people are surviving melanoma, with deaths expected to continue to fall.
Almost nine in 10 adults diagnosed with melanoma in England will now survive their disease for a decade or more.
Dr Claire Knight, senior health information manager at Cancer Research UK, said: "Getting sunburnt just once every two years can triple the risk of developing skin cancer, compared to never being burnt.
"Whether you are enjoying the good weather abroad or here at home, it's important to protect yourself from too much sun, especially if you burn easily.
"Remember that sunburn doesn't only happen when it's hot - it can happen on cooler or cloudier days too.
"The best way to protect your skin when the sun is strong is to use shade, clothing and sunscreen together.
"Seek shade in the middle of the day, cover up with a shirt that covers your shoulders, a hat and sunglasses and wear sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and 4 or 5 stars.
"Make sure you put plenty on and reapply it regularly."
While non-melanoma cancers are considered less dangerous than melanoma, has shown that non-melanomas now kill more people worldwide as they're so common.
Last month, experts told how the world's first personalised mRNA cancer jab for melanoma - which also has the potential to stop lung, bladder and kidney cancer - is being tested in British patients.
The "gamechanger" jab, which offers hope of a cure, is custom-built for each person in just a few weeks.
A stage 2 trial of the jab, involving pharma firms Moderna and MSD, found it dramatically reduced the risk of the cancer returning in melanoma patients.
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University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is now leading leading the final phase of trials of the therapy.
Dr Heather Shaw, co-ordinating investigator of the trial, said it was "one of the most exciting things we've seen in a really long time".
Can you spot the cancerous moles from the harmless ones?
IF you've spotted a new mole or lingering mark on your skin, don't be too quick to dismiss it.
It's important to know what your skin looks like normally, to helps you notice any unusual changes.
The ABCDE rule can be followed to assess the health of a mole.
If your mole falls into the following, it’s worth getting checked:
- Asymmetrical – melanomas usually have two very different halves and are an irregular shape
- Border – melanomas usually have a notched or ragged border
- Colours – melanomas will usually be a mix of two or more colours
- Diameter – most melanomas are usually larger than 6mm in diameter
- Enlargement or elevation – a mole that changes size over time is more likely to be a melanoma
Most melanomas don’t give you symptoms like pain or itching.
Meanwhile, some non-cancerous moles or abnormal patches of skin can be itchy.
So having some of these changes on their own doesn't mean you definitely have melanoma, but you should still get it checked out.
There are two main types of skin cancer - non melanoma skin cancer and melanoma skin cancer.
Non-melanoma skin cancer includes:
- Basal cell skin cancer - this is also called basal cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell skin cancer - this is also called squamous cell carcinoma
There are a few different types of melanoma too:
- Superficial spreading melanoma
- Nodular melanoma
- Lentigo maligna melanoma
Find out more about distinguishing moles here.
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