Skin Cancer rates soared over the last decade in the UK

Cancer Research UK have warned that UK skin cancer rates in men and young adults have soared in the last decade.
With a 53% rise in melanoma diagnoses in men and a 78% rise in 25 -49 year olds, the charity have said that everyone needs to remember to protect their skin in the UK as well as when holidaying abroad.
Health information Manager Karis Betts commented “The sun can be strong enough to burn in the UK from April right through to the end of September, so it’s important that people are protecting their skin even when at home. You can protect your skin by seeking shade when the sun is at its strongest (between 11am, – 3pm) covering up and apply sunscreen with at least and SPF 15 and or four to five stars regularly.”
With melanoma being the 5th most common cancer in the UK, experts say that 9 in 10 cases could have been prevented by using a higher factor sunscreen.
Prof Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: “Within the last year, nearly half a million people where urgently referred for skin cancer checks. Even though Cancer survival is at an all-time high, it’s vital that everyone protects their skin by wearing sunscreen and spending time in the shade.”