Our growing desire to be beautifully bronzed is proving highly injurious to our health

Main Category: Melanoma / Skin Cancer
Article Date: 27 Jun 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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Tan rather than wan may be fashionable, but our growing desire to be beautifully bronzed is proving highly injurious to our health.

Incidences of skin cancer in the UK are at record levels, with 65,000 new cases a year, and rising. Between 1995-2000, the number of people diagnosed with malignant melanoma, the most deadly form of the disease, increased by 24%, to almost 7,000 cases. Britain now has a higher death rate from melanoma than Australia -1,700 deaths a year compared to 1,000.

Yet young people are ignoring the risks. As part of its SunSmart awareness raising campaign, Cancer Research UK (CRUK) recently surveyed more than 1,800 people on their attitudes and understanding of the risks associated with sunbathing. Seventy per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds said they wanted a tan, while only 2-3% realised the importance of not burning.

In other research by CRUK and Boots, over half the British parents surveyed admitted their children had been sunburnt. Although sunburn in childhood can double the risk of getting skin cancer in later life, 41% of parents said they like to see their children with a suntan, with most believing it makes them look more healthy.

But rather than being healthy, a tan signifies damage to the skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV wavelengths contain high levels of energy that penetrate our flesh and change the structure of skin cells. There are three types. UVC, the most dangerous, is completely absorbed by the Earth's upper atmosphere. UVA and UVB, however, both cause skin cancer and damage our DNA - and also give us suntans.

Most melanoma is caused by short periods of exposure to intense sun - the kind we get on two-week holidays in the Med. It is one of three types of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are less deadly, causing around 500 deaths a year in the UK.

Unlike other skin cancers, melanoma affects a significant number of under-35-year-olds, although it is most common among 40 to 60-year-olds. With early detection, it is largely curable - so it's very important to recognise the warning signs. The CRUK says to look out for moles that are:

-- getting bigger

-- changing shape (particularly with irregular edges)

-- changing colour (getting darker, patchy or multi-shaded)

-- itching or painful

-- bleeding or becoming crusty

-- looking inflamed

Melanomas can appear anywhere on the body, but are more common on the back in men and the legs in women. About half develop on an old mole, while others grow on previously normal skin - so tell your doctor if a new mole looks suspicious or is growing fast.

While everyone should take care in the sun, some people are more at risk, namely those who:

� have had a malignant melanoma removed in the past

� have a close relative who has had malignant melanoma

� have lots of moles

� are fair skinned with blue eyes

� tend to have freckles

� tend to burn easily in the sun

� were born in a hot, sunny country

� have been badly burned at least once in the past five years

� expose their skin to the sun (or sun beds) off and on.

As the holiday season approaches, CRUK is urging Britons to avoid over exposure to the sun. Earlier this year, the charity joined forces with the Government to encourage young people in particular to protect themselves: the Department of Health is investing �400,000 in the CRUK's SunSmart campaign over the next three years.

SunSmart advises:

S tay in the shade 11-3pm
M ake sure you never burn
A lways cover up
R emember to take extra care of children
T hen use factor 15+ sunscreen

CRUK recommends factor 15 sunscreen since higher screens cost more but don't offer a lot more protection. The safest course, however, is to either stay out of the sun altogether, or cover up with long-sleeved, full-length cotton clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and wrap-around sunglasses. You may remain pale, but you'll look very interesting.

http://www.norwichunion.com

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