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| Melanoma skin cancer at all-time high in UK | |
| (5 months later) | |
| A cancer charity is warning people to do more to protect themselves from the sun as the number of melanoma skin-cancer cases in the UK continues to rise. | A cancer charity is warning people to do more to protect themselves from the sun as the number of melanoma skin-cancer cases in the UK continues to rise. |
| Cancer Research UK predicts there will be a record 20,800 cases diagnosed this year – up from a yearly average of 19,300 between 2020 and 2022. | Cancer Research UK predicts there will be a record 20,800 cases diagnosed this year – up from a yearly average of 19,300 between 2020 and 2022. |
| Its analysis shows rates rose by almost a third between 2009 and 2019 - from 21 to 28 cases per 100,000 people. | |
| The rise in diagnoses is due partly to a growing ageing population and an increase in awareness of the signs of skin cancer. | The rise in diagnoses is due partly to a growing ageing population and an increase in awareness of the signs of skin cancer. |
| The report suggests around 17,000 melanoma cases every year are preventable - with almost nine in 10 caused by too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation. | The report suggests around 17,000 melanoma cases every year are preventable - with almost nine in 10 caused by too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation. |
| Melanomas are a serious type of skin cancer that can spread to other parts of the body. | Melanomas are a serious type of skin cancer that can spread to other parts of the body. |
| There are also non-melanoma skin cancers, which are generally more common and usually less serious than melanoma. | There are also non-melanoma skin cancers, which are generally more common and usually less serious than melanoma. |
| According to Cancer Research (CRUK) the rise in cases has covered all age groups but the biggest increases are in the older age groups - particularly in adults over 80, where diagnoses have risen from 61 to 96 cases per 100,000 people over a decade. | According to Cancer Research (CRUK) the rise in cases has covered all age groups but the biggest increases are in the older age groups - particularly in adults over 80, where diagnoses have risen from 61 to 96 cases per 100,000 people over a decade. |
| There has also been a rise among adults aged between 25 and 49, according to the charity's analysis. | There has also been a rise among adults aged between 25 and 49, according to the charity's analysis. |
| For this group the rate has gone up from 14 to 15 per 100,000 people over 10 years. | For this group the rate has gone up from 14 to 15 per 100,000 people over 10 years. |
| Young people are more likely to be aware of the link between UV and skin cancer than older generations, scientists suggest. | |
| This could mean they’re more likely to take precautions in the sun, compared with older people, who grew up when less was known about the dangers of tanning. | This could mean they’re more likely to take precautions in the sun, compared with older people, who grew up when less was known about the dangers of tanning. |
| Many people also took advantage of the cheap package-holiday boom, which began in the 1960s, researchers say. | Many people also took advantage of the cheap package-holiday boom, which began in the 1960s, researchers say. |
| "I was never a sun-bather but I did burn" | "I was never a sun-bather but I did burn" |
| Caroline Jones, 57, from Shrewsbury, was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2018 after spotting a tiny blemish on her leg. | Caroline Jones, 57, from Shrewsbury, was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2018 after spotting a tiny blemish on her leg. |
| She told the BBC: "It was tiny and shiny with a black bit in the middle. It just didn't look right. | She told the BBC: "It was tiny and shiny with a black bit in the middle. It just didn't look right. |
| "The scary thing is if it was on my back I probably wouldn't have seen it. But because I saw it and went quickly to the doctor, I'm still here today." | "The scary thing is if it was on my back I probably wouldn't have seen it. But because I saw it and went quickly to the doctor, I'm still here today." |
| Caroline's melanoma was caught early, and after surgery to remove it, she is now cancer-free. | Caroline's melanoma was caught early, and after surgery to remove it, she is now cancer-free. |
| "I’ve never been a sun-bather but each of the times I’ve been abroad I have burnt quite badly. | "I’ve never been a sun-bather but each of the times I’ve been abroad I have burnt quite badly. |
| "That's probably five times of falling asleep in the sun for a few hours," she said. | "That's probably five times of falling asleep in the sun for a few hours," she said. |
| "I hope my story will encourage people to think about their habits and take care when they’re enjoying the sun." | "I hope my story will encourage people to think about their habits and take care when they’re enjoying the sun." |
| CRUK's chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, says survival from cancers including melanoma continues to improve, "demonstrating the substantial progress made possible by research". | CRUK's chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, says survival from cancers including melanoma continues to improve, "demonstrating the substantial progress made possible by research". |
| But it is vital that people try to reduce their risk of getting the disease in the first place, she adds. | But it is vital that people try to reduce their risk of getting the disease in the first place, she adds. |
| “Make sure to take care in the sun and contact your GP if you notice any 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. | “Make sure to take care in the sun and contact your GP if you notice any 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.” | "Spotting cancer early can make all the difference.” |
| Almost nine in 10 adults diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in England will survive their disease for 10 years or more. | Almost nine in 10 adults diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in England will survive their disease for 10 years or more. |
| Sun safety tips: | Sun safety tips: |
| Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm | Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm |
| Never burn | Never burn |
| Cover up with suitable clothing (including a wide-brimmed hat and long-sleeved top) and sunglasses | Cover up with suitable clothing (including a wide-brimmed hat and long-sleeved top) and sunglasses |
| Take extra care with children | Take extra care with children |
| Use at least factor-30 sunscreen regularly | Use at least factor-30 sunscreen regularly |
| Source: NHS |