Cases of the most serious form of skin cancer have reached a record high in Britain, with new data from Cancer Research UK (CRUK) showing annual melanoma cases have risen above 20,000 for the first time. The charity is urging people to stay safe in the sun as temperatures are expected to hit as high as 33C in parts of the country this bank holiday weekend.
The figures show women are more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma at younger ages, but in later life it is more common in men. Rates are driven by more sun exposure, including sunbathing and sunbed use. Nearly nine in 10 melanoma cases in the UK are caused by too much UV radiation from the sun and sunbeds.
CRUK chief executive Michelle Mitchell said: “It's concerning to see the rising number of people being diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer across the UK. The fact that most of these cases are preventable underlines the importance of people taking sun safety seriously.” She advised seeking shade, covering up, and applying sunscreen, and contacting a GP if any unusual skin changes are noticed.
The Government has announced plans for mandatory age checks to stop children using sunbeds, launching a 12-week consultation on a new law requiring ID checks. Under-18s are already barred from using sunbeds but teens often get around these rules through contactless systems. Public health minister Sharon Hodgson said: “Sunbeds cause cancer and yet children as young as 14 are still accessing them illegally. That is not acceptable.”
CRUK estimates that the number of people diagnosed with melanoma is set to reach over 26,000 a year by 2040, a 23% rise in men and 26% in women. The charity has partnered with NIVEA Sun to share tips for staying safe, including using shade, covering up, and wearing sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and four or five stars.
