Plymouth Hoe yesterday:
Many young people still fail to understand the danger of spending too long in the sun, doctors say.
South West News Service
By Sam Lister, Health Editor
More than 10,000 people a year are developing the deadliest form of skin cancer as a result of package holidays and excessive use of sunbeds, latest figures show.
The number of cases of malignant melanoma rose by 650 — or 6.5 per cent — in a single year as a result of binge-tanning at home and abroad, according to Cancer Research UK.
There were 10,410 diagnoses in 2006, the most recent figure available, with experts predicting a rise to more than 15,500 cases by 2024 — making malignant melanoma the fourth most common cancer in men and women.
Rates of the cancer have more than quadrupled over the past 30 years, from 3.4 cases per 100,000 people in 1977 to 14.7 per 100,000 in 2006.
Experts emphasised the need to protect against the sun as millions of holidaymakers and day trippers headed for coastal resorts to enjoy the hottest weekend of the year. Temperatures reached 25C (77F) in southeast England yesterday, while much of the rest of the country and parts of Scotland and Wales enjoyed unbroken sunshine. On Saturday temperatures reached 22.3C (72F) in Clerkenwell, Central London.
The Government has spent more than £420 million on annual campaigns since 2003, but skin cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Britain, with 100,000 new cases each year. Figures released last month showed that an estimated 340 women in their twenties have melanoma diagnosed in Britain every year — nearly double the number to have breast cancer diagnosed at a similar age. There are two main types: melanoma and non-melanoma. Melanoma makes up just 11 per cent of diagnosed cases of skin cancer but accounts for 80 per cent of deaths, and is more commonly diagnosed in women.
The disease is mainly identified by a fast-growing, irregular dark spot on previously normal skin or in an existing mole that changes in size, colour or texture. Most cases are preventable — as about 80 per cent are caused by exposure to sunlight or UV radiation.
Experts warned people of all ages to stay away from sunbeds and to use a high-factor sun lotion in the sun, to be careful not to get burnt and to take extra care of children.
Women are more likely to get skin cancer than men — 5,600 have it diagnosed each year compared with 4,800 men. However, men are more likely to die from the cancer and rates among them have risen fivefold whereas in women they have more than tripled.
Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK’s director of health information, said the latest statistics showed that a worrying number of people were failing to heed basic UV safety information. “With the rates of malignant melanoma in the UK rising faster than any other cancer, it’s more important than ever that people are aware of the dangers of getting burnt, either in the sun or from using sunbeds. Most melanoma skin cancers are caused by over exposure to UV rays given off by the sun and sunbeds.”
According to research by the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, also released today, one third of people found reasons to delay getting a mole or mark on their body checked.
Mark Goodfield, president of the British Association of Dermatologists, said that although it might seem trivial people should see their GP immediately if they saw any sign of a mole changing shape, colour or texture.
“Diagnosing a skin cancer early makes a real difference to the success of treatment. Making an extra effort to check changes in moles and going to the GP could save your life.”
If melanoma is diagnosed early, when thin and on the surface of the skin, it can be removed easily. If left, melanoma can spread through the lymph system or the blood stream, which can be serious and in some cases fatal. Surgery becomes more complex, with longer scars and skin grafts or skin flaps often needed.
Barry Powell, a national clinical adviser on skin cancer, said that people did not have to avoid the sun altogether, but they should avoid getting burnt. “A high number of adults still do not understand the risks, particularly the younger age groups. Many think that only older people die from skin cancer but I have seen heartbreaking cases of patients in their twenties die because they have left it too late.”
Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd
May 25, 2009
UK: More than 10,000 a year get skin cancer in quest for perfect tan
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LONDON, England / The Times / Life & Style / Health / May 25, 2009
Plymouth Hoe yesterday:
Many young people still fail to understand the danger of spending too long in the sun, doctors say.
South West News Service
By Sam Lister, Health Editor
More than 10,000 people a year are developing the deadliest form of skin cancer as a result of package holidays and excessive use of sunbeds, latest figures show.
The number of cases of malignant melanoma rose by 650 — or 6.5 per cent — in a single year as a result of binge-tanning at home and abroad, according to Cancer Research UK.
There were 10,410 diagnoses in 2006, the most recent figure available, with experts predicting a rise to more than 15,500 cases by 2024 — making malignant melanoma the fourth most common cancer in men and women.
Rates of the cancer have more than quadrupled over the past 30 years, from 3.4 cases per 100,000 people in 1977 to 14.7 per 100,000 in 2006.
Experts emphasised the need to protect against the sun as millions of holidaymakers and day trippers headed for coastal resorts to enjoy the hottest weekend of the year. Temperatures reached 25C (77F) in southeast England yesterday, while much of the rest of the country and parts of Scotland and Wales enjoyed unbroken sunshine. On Saturday temperatures reached 22.3C (72F) in Clerkenwell, Central London.
The Government has spent more than £420 million on annual campaigns since 2003, but skin cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Britain, with 100,000 new cases each year. Figures released last month showed that an estimated 340 women in their twenties have melanoma diagnosed in Britain every year — nearly double the number to have breast cancer diagnosed at a similar age. There are two main types: melanoma and non-melanoma. Melanoma makes up just 11 per cent of diagnosed cases of skin cancer but accounts for 80 per cent of deaths, and is more commonly diagnosed in women.
The disease is mainly identified by a fast-growing, irregular dark spot on previously normal skin or in an existing mole that changes in size, colour or texture. Most cases are preventable — as about 80 per cent are caused by exposure to sunlight or UV radiation.
Experts warned people of all ages to stay away from sunbeds and to use a high-factor sun lotion in the sun, to be careful not to get burnt and to take extra care of children.
Women are more likely to get skin cancer than men — 5,600 have it diagnosed each year compared with 4,800 men. However, men are more likely to die from the cancer and rates among them have risen fivefold whereas in women they have more than tripled.
Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK’s director of health information, said the latest statistics showed that a worrying number of people were failing to heed basic UV safety information. “With the rates of malignant melanoma in the UK rising faster than any other cancer, it’s more important than ever that people are aware of the dangers of getting burnt, either in the sun or from using sunbeds. Most melanoma skin cancers are caused by over exposure to UV rays given off by the sun and sunbeds.”
According to research by the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, also released today, one third of people found reasons to delay getting a mole or mark on their body checked.
Mark Goodfield, president of the British Association of Dermatologists, said that although it might seem trivial people should see their GP immediately if they saw any sign of a mole changing shape, colour or texture.
“Diagnosing a skin cancer early makes a real difference to the success of treatment. Making an extra effort to check changes in moles and going to the GP could save your life.”
If melanoma is diagnosed early, when thin and on the surface of the skin, it can be removed easily. If left, melanoma can spread through the lymph system or the blood stream, which can be serious and in some cases fatal. Surgery becomes more complex, with longer scars and skin grafts or skin flaps often needed.
Barry Powell, a national clinical adviser on skin cancer, said that people did not have to avoid the sun altogether, but they should avoid getting burnt. “A high number of adults still do not understand the risks, particularly the younger age groups. Many think that only older people die from skin cancer but I have seen heartbreaking cases of patients in their twenties die because they have left it too late.”
Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd
Plymouth Hoe yesterday:
Many young people still fail to understand the danger of spending too long in the sun, doctors say.
South West News Service
By Sam Lister, Health Editor
More than 10,000 people a year are developing the deadliest form of skin cancer as a result of package holidays and excessive use of sunbeds, latest figures show.
The number of cases of malignant melanoma rose by 650 — or 6.5 per cent — in a single year as a result of binge-tanning at home and abroad, according to Cancer Research UK.
There were 10,410 diagnoses in 2006, the most recent figure available, with experts predicting a rise to more than 15,500 cases by 2024 — making malignant melanoma the fourth most common cancer in men and women.
Rates of the cancer have more than quadrupled over the past 30 years, from 3.4 cases per 100,000 people in 1977 to 14.7 per 100,000 in 2006.
Experts emphasised the need to protect against the sun as millions of holidaymakers and day trippers headed for coastal resorts to enjoy the hottest weekend of the year. Temperatures reached 25C (77F) in southeast England yesterday, while much of the rest of the country and parts of Scotland and Wales enjoyed unbroken sunshine. On Saturday temperatures reached 22.3C (72F) in Clerkenwell, Central London.
The Government has spent more than £420 million on annual campaigns since 2003, but skin cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Britain, with 100,000 new cases each year. Figures released last month showed that an estimated 340 women in their twenties have melanoma diagnosed in Britain every year — nearly double the number to have breast cancer diagnosed at a similar age. There are two main types: melanoma and non-melanoma. Melanoma makes up just 11 per cent of diagnosed cases of skin cancer but accounts for 80 per cent of deaths, and is more commonly diagnosed in women.
The disease is mainly identified by a fast-growing, irregular dark spot on previously normal skin or in an existing mole that changes in size, colour or texture. Most cases are preventable — as about 80 per cent are caused by exposure to sunlight or UV radiation.
Experts warned people of all ages to stay away from sunbeds and to use a high-factor sun lotion in the sun, to be careful not to get burnt and to take extra care of children.
Women are more likely to get skin cancer than men — 5,600 have it diagnosed each year compared with 4,800 men. However, men are more likely to die from the cancer and rates among them have risen fivefold whereas in women they have more than tripled.
Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK’s director of health information, said the latest statistics showed that a worrying number of people were failing to heed basic UV safety information. “With the rates of malignant melanoma in the UK rising faster than any other cancer, it’s more important than ever that people are aware of the dangers of getting burnt, either in the sun or from using sunbeds. Most melanoma skin cancers are caused by over exposure to UV rays given off by the sun and sunbeds.”
According to research by the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, also released today, one third of people found reasons to delay getting a mole or mark on their body checked.
Mark Goodfield, president of the British Association of Dermatologists, said that although it might seem trivial people should see their GP immediately if they saw any sign of a mole changing shape, colour or texture.
“Diagnosing a skin cancer early makes a real difference to the success of treatment. Making an extra effort to check changes in moles and going to the GP could save your life.”
If melanoma is diagnosed early, when thin and on the surface of the skin, it can be removed easily. If left, melanoma can spread through the lymph system or the blood stream, which can be serious and in some cases fatal. Surgery becomes more complex, with longer scars and skin grafts or skin flaps often needed.
Barry Powell, a national clinical adviser on skin cancer, said that people did not have to avoid the sun altogether, but they should avoid getting burnt. “A high number of adults still do not understand the risks, particularly the younger age groups. Many think that only older people die from skin cancer but I have seen heartbreaking cases of patients in their twenties die because they have left it too late.”
Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd
