Britons ‘do not understand the signs of skin cancer’

A new study has revealed a lack of awareness among people in the UK of the signs of skin cancer and the importance of taking preventative measures.

Carried out by the British Association of Dermatologists to coincide with Sun Awareness Week, the survey of 1,000 people revealed that 77 percent would not recognise symptoms of the disease.

It was shown that 72 per cent of people admitted that they had been sunburned in the last year – a concern given that the risk of developing melanoma is more than doubled in people with a history of sunburn.

Moreover, 96 per cent of those polled admitted to failing to perform their recommended monthly check for signs of skin cancer.

Johnathon Major of the British Association of Dermatologists said: "Many think that skin reddening is just a harmless part of the tanning process, rather than a sure sign that you have damaged your skin irreparably."

There are more than 100,000 new cases of non-melanoma skin cancer every year in the UK, making it one of the most common forms of the disease.