Britain faces a stark warning over a predicted explosion in skin cancer cases, with a leading charity forecasting a 50 per cent surge within the next two decades. Despite being the nation's most common cancer, claiming around 2,100 lives annually, a dangerous gap in public knowledge about its signs and sunburn risks persists.
A Looming Public Health Crisis
The alarming projection comes from Cancer Research UK, which attributes the expected rise largely to the boom in cheap package holidays dating from the 1960s. Diagnoses already hit a record level of 17,545 per year between 2017 and 2019. Based on current trends, the charity warns this annual figure could climb to approximately 26,531 by 2040.
Compounding the concern is a severe lack of public awareness. A survey by the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) revealed that a staggering 77 per cent of people would not recognise the signs of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Worryingly, nearly three-quarters admitted to getting sunburned in the past year alone, and 40 per cent never check their skin for potential symptoms.
Understanding the Two Main Types
Skin cancer is broadly categorised into two types. Melanoma is the most serious form, with about 13,000 new cases diagnosed in the UK each year. Non-melanoma skin cancer is far more common, with over 100,000 new cases annually, and primarily includes basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
The link to sun damage is unequivocal. The Skin Care Foundation states that having five or more sunburns at any age doubles the risk of melanoma. Even more critically, suffering just one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person's chances of developing melanoma later in life.
How to Spot the Warning Signs
Vigilance and regular self-checks are vital for early detection, which dramatically improves outcomes. The symptoms for melanoma and non-melanoma differ.
For melanoma, the first sign is often a new mole or a change in an existing one. The NHS advises using the ABCDE checklist to assess moles:
- Asymmetrical: Melanomas often have two very different halves.
- Border: The edges may be notched or ragged.
- Colours: Look for a mix of two or more colours.
- Diameter: Melanomas are usually larger than 6mm (1/4 inch).
- Enlargement or Elevation: A mole that changes size over time is a concern.
Any change in size, shape, colour, or any bleeding, crusting, or itchiness should prompt a visit to a GP.
Non-melanoma skin cancer typically appears as a persistent lump or a discoloured patch of skin that does not heal within four weeks.
- Basal cell carcinoma (roughly 75% of skin cancers) may look like a small red, pink, or pearly-white lump, or a red/scaly patch. It often grows slowly and may crust or bleed.
- Squamous cell carcinoma (about 20% of cases) often appears as a firm pink lump with a scaly or crusted surface. It may bleed easily, feel tender, and can develop into an ulcer.
With cases set to rise sharply, health experts stress that understanding these symptoms and protecting skin from UV overexposure are the most effective defences against Britain's most common cancer.
