North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has added his voice to Melanoma Awareness Month after experts expressed concern at new data released by the charity Melanoma Focus which shows that 34% of Welsh people reported rarely or never using sunscreen when in the UK.
When asked why they don’t use sunscreen the majority (39%) said it’s because they don't expect to burn. This is despite 52% of all respondents and 60% of Welsh people reporting that they got sunburned at least once per year.
Mr Isherwood said:
“Melanoma skin cancer is a potentially fatal condition, yet people in the UK are often ignoring the dangers posed by prolonged exposure to the UV rays. I’m delighted to support Melanoma Awareness Month and do what I can to help ensure my constituents protect themselves and their loved ones from this rising and very serious form of skin cancer.
“1 in 36 men and 1 in 47 women in the UK will be diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in their lifetime. It is the deadliest form of skin cancer and is in the top five most commonly diagnosed cancers in the UK, killing 2,333 people per year. Yet 86% of melanomas are preventable.
“I therefore urge people to protect themselves with SPF30+ sunscreen and to check their skin and contact their GP if they notice new or changing moles or lesions.”
Susanna Daniels, CEO of Melanoma Focus, said:
“About seven people die from melanoma every day in the UK and more people die from melanoma in the UK than in Australia. The fact that people are continuing to ignore the warnings and not take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from skin cancer is concerning.
“About 9 in 10 melanoma skin cancer cases are preventable and it is vital that people take the warnings about the dangers of excessive sun exposure and the dangers of sunbed use seriously.
“Sunbeds can be incredibly dangerous and it’s concerning that their use is so popular in the UK. The best way to protect yourself from the dangers of sunbeds is to avoid them altogether and use high-factor sun protection, along with seeking shade and wearing a hat when in the sun.”
Professor Catherine Harwood, Consultant Dermatologist at Barts Health and Trustee at Melanoma Focus, said:
“The survey results clearly show that many people in the UK don’t always appreciate how dangerous sunburn can be. Sun exposure, particularly when young, can cause permanent DNA damage in the skin making it more likely for skin cancers like melanoma to develop.
“Skin protection should be taken seriously, especially by those with lighter skin tones. During the summer, whether in the UK or abroad, I recommend wearing a combined UVA and UVB sunscreen of SPF 30 or above and avoiding the sun in the middle of the day.
“Sunbeds or tanning beds are also a serious issue as they emit a type of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can damage the DNA of skin cells, leading to an increased risk of skin cancer. Additionally, people who use tanning beds are more likely to get sunburns, which can further damage the skin.”