Macmillan Stresses The Importance Of Sun Awareness As Temperatures Hit A New High, UK

Macmillan Cancer Support will be highlighting the signs and symptoms of skin cancer during Sun Awareness Week (7-13 May 2007) and urging people to take extra care in the sun as forecasters predict another summer of record-breaking temperatures. Skin cancer is the UK's most common cancer in both men and women with more than 73,000¹ cases each year. The incidence of malignant melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, continues to increase with 8,100 new cases and 1,800 deaths each year.² Many cases could be prevented by taking precautions against the sun's ultra-violet rays.³ To help spread the prevention message, Macmillan Skin Cancer Nurse Specialists will be raising awareness of skin cancer throughout the week in hospitals, local shops and schools. Nurses will be on hand to give advice and information on safe behaviour in the sun. Karen Curtis, Macmillan Skin Cancer Nurse Specialist, Musgrove Park Hospital, Somerset says, "It's great that we've had such glorious weather but people need to be mindful of the damage too much sun exposure can cause. The increase in UV radiation heightens the risk of getting skin cancer so it is now more important than ever to stay safe in the sun. The best advice we can give is to seek shade between 11am-3pm, cover up with a t-shirt, hat and sun glasses, make sure children are covered and always use UVA/UVB protection sun cream factor 15 or above. Most importantly, try not to burn as this doubles the risk of getting skin cancer." Anthony Reed, 22, was diagnosed with skin cancer after discovering a mole on his leg. He says, "It came as such a shock when I was told I had skin cancer. I was lucky to have caught it so early on otherwise it could have been fatal." If anyone is concerned about skin cancer or has a mole they believe is suspicious they should visit their GP without delay. For more information on cancer in general, please call the Macmillan Cancer Support's freephone CancerLine number on 0808 808 2020, email cancerline@macmillan.org.uk or visit

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