Sun Awareness is the British Association of Dermatologists’ annual campaign to raise awareness of skin cancer. The campaign runs from April to September annually and includes Sun Awareness Week in May. The campaign is two-pronged and combines prevention and detection advice.
It all starts with prevention, here are some tips to keep you safe in the sun
Some people are more at risk from skin cancer than others
Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer in the UK. It’s slow growing and very rarely spreads to other parts of the body.
The second most common type of skin cancer in the UK is Squamous Cell Carcinoma which also grows slowly. However, if left untreated there is a small risk it could spread to other parts of the body and be fatal.
Please see the images below from the British Association of Dermatologists which show what skin cancer can look like.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer which can spread to other areas of the body. Melanomas can develop from existing moles or appear as new mole-like marks on the skin.
This is an example of what Melanoma can look like from the NHS website:
How to check your moles
Look in a mirror, check your face, neck and chest to hips, arms, elbows, armpits, both sides of your hands, the front and back of your legs, your feet, soles and even between your toes. Ask a family member or friend to check your scalp, ears back and anywhere else you can’t see on your own.
If in doubt, check it out!
Contact your GP if you have any changes to a mole or patch of skin (even if it’s not listed above). Once examined your doctor may refer you to see a skin cancer specialist, usually a consultant dermatologist who is an expert at diagnosing and treating skin cancer.
Dermatology services receive more urgent referrals for suspected cancer than any other specialty. Approximately 500,000 referrals are for suspected skin cancer and 6% of those patients are diagnosed with melanoma and
squamous cell carcinoma (British Association of Dermatologists, 2022).
For more information visit:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/non-melanoma-skin-cancer/