Melanoma is on the rise: here’s how you can be skin aware

Susanna Daniels

CEO, Melanoma Focus

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and is in the top five most commonly diagnosed cancers in the UK, killing 2,333 people per year.

Approximately 1 in 36 men and 1 in 47 women in the UK will be diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in their lifetime. Incidence rates are projected to rise by 9% by 2040. However, 86% of melanomas are preventable.

Causes of melanoma

Sun exposure, particularly in young people, can cause permanent DNA damage in the skin. This makes it more likely for skin cancers like melanoma to develop. Sunbeds or tanning lamps are also a serious issue as they emit a type of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can cause DNA damage to the skin. The majority of melanoma skin cancers are preventable by avoiding excessive UV exposure.

Melanoma and sunscreen costs

Sunscreen is an important tool for protecting your skin, in addition to seeking shade and covering up. However, many people struggle to afford it. Research carried out this year found that 67% would use sunscreen more if it were 20% cheaper, and 10% don’t use it at all because of the cost. People with the lowest incomes are less likely to wear sunscreen than any other economic group.

Sun exposure, particularly in young people, can cause permanent DNA damage in the skin. This makes it more likely for skin cancers like melanoma to develop.

Skin cancer affects people from all economic backgrounds but, as with many cancers, has a link with poverty. Around 4,000 cases of melanoma skin cancer each year in England are linked with economic deprivation. This increases to around 25,000 when including non-melanoma skin cancer cases.^*

Melanoma Focus has joined with other charities, cross-party politicians and medical professionals to ask the Government to abolish VAT on factor 30+ sunscreen to make it more affordable to everyone and reduce cases of melanoma skin cancer.

Be skin aware

Prevention is always better than cure, but it’s also important to be aware of the signs of melanoma and to contact your GP if you have any concerns. Treatment for melanoma can be very effective if caught early.

The most common signs to look out for are a mole or lesion that is:

• Changed (including change in shape, colour, bleeding or itching): It is new or seems to have changed since you last saw it.
• Not going away: Once a new lesion has appeared, it remains on the skin for longer than 6–8 weeks.
• Odd (the most crucial test): It simply looks strange, worries you or seems different from other lesions on your skin.