Melanoma skin cancer cases are at an all-time high, with 20,800 people expected to be diagnosed this year in the UK, analysis by Cancer Research UK has found. The charity said rates of melanoma have increased by almost a third over a decade, from 21 to 28 per 100,000 people between 2007-09 and 2017-19. Among those aged over 80, there was a 57 per cent rise, while among those aged 25 to 49 there was a 7 per cent increase.
Cancer Research UK said around 17,000 melanoma cases every year are preventable, with almost nine in 10 caused by too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV from the sun can damage DNA in skin cells and cause skin cancer. The charity advises people spend time in the shade, especially between 11am and 3pm; cover up with clothes, a wide-brimmed hat, UV-protection sunglasses and a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and four or five stars, applied often.
CRUK’s chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, said: “Survival from cancers including melanoma continues to improve, demonstrating the substantial progress made possible by research. But it’s vital that people try to reduce their risk of getting the disease in the first place. “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.” According to the charity, younger people are more aware of the link b.