Over the last decade, skin cancer cases have doubled. Men are the worse affected, with skin cancer rates having risen by almost two thirds (64%) in 10 years.
Roughly 42 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day – 15,906 in 2015.
It is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, accounting for 4% of all new cancer cases. Around 86% of melanomas are believed to be preventable.
Stay vigilant
With such a sharp rise in skin cancer rates in recent years, every one of us needs to take steps to protect ourselves and to become more vigilant in checking ourselves for the early signs of melanoma.
If you spot any of the following, see your doctor as soon as possible:
- A new mole, growth or lump
- Moles, freckles or patches of skin that change in shape, colour or size
Skin cancer is survivable if caught early – around 90% of people survived for 10 years or more in England and Wales in 2010-11.
However, one in 10 melanomas is still diagnosed at a late stage when treatment is far less successful. There were 2,285 deaths from melanomas in 2016.
Preventing skin cancer
Getting sunburned increases your risk of skin cancer and you should take sensible precautions to protect your skin, even here in the UK and even on a cloudy day. The skin of children and babies is particularly susceptible to burning so take extra care to ensure they are well-protected.
“Most skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun. Skin cancer is on the increase across the world”. Mr Alok Misra
Here are some simple steps you can take to protect your skin from sun damage:
- Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or above. Look for the four-star UVA protection rating.
- Make sure you apply sufficient sunscreen and top it up regularly, particularly if you are swimming. Don’t forget your neck and ears and the tops of your feet.
- Stay out of the sun between the hours of 10am and 4pm.
- Avoid using tanning beds.
- Keep babies out of the sun and, over the age of six months, use sunscreen. Children’s skin is much more sensitive than adult skin and sun damage as a child can increase the risks of developing skin cancer later in life.
- Sunscreen alone is not sufficient to protect yourself from the sun. Cover up with loose clothing, a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
- Be vigilant for signs of skin cancer.
- The surface of your eyes is also susceptible to burning in the sun so always wear sunglasses with the CE Mark.
People at Greatest Risk
Certain skin types are particularly at risk. You should take extra care if you:
- tend to burn rather than tan
- have freckles or red or fair hair
- have pale, white or light brown skin
- have a family history of skin cancer
- have a lot of moles
- are in a hot country where the sun is particularly intense.
Treatment for Skin Cancer
There are several different types of skin cancer. The most common are:
- Basal cell carcinoma – the most common form, this is an uncontrolled growth or lesion in the skin’s basal cells.
- Squamous cell carcinoma – a tumour caused by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the upper layer of the epidermis.
- Malignant melanoma – the most dangerous form of skin cancer. It appears as a cancerous growth which may resemble a mole, and sometimes develops from a mole. Most commonly black or brown but also red, purple, bluish, white or flesh-coloured. Left untreated they can spread to other parts of the body and can be fatal.
Plastic surgery can be highly effective for people who have had skin cancer. Contact us to discuss treatment options for your personal case.
3 ways Riverside Clinics can help
(1) Riverside Clinics is part of the skin cancer team at several major hospitals including Hillingdon, Heatherwood and Wexham Park.
(2) Riverside Clinics work alongside the oncologists to treat patients with skin cancer.
(3) Riverside Clinics hold a parallel skin cancer clinic every two weeks to review skin cancer patients.
Find out about Mr Misra and the Riverside Clinics practice.
