Tans, sunburn, and skin cancer awareness

With the hope of warmer weather and summer holidays in the sun on the horizon, Thames Valley Cancer Alliance (TVCA) highlights the risks of developing skin cancer through tanning and sunburn.

NHS Digital data shows that there were 224,000 skin cancers in England in 2019 and over 1.4 million skin cancers between 2013-2019[1]. This makes skin cancer the most common cancer diagnosed in England.

The risk of melanoma increases with age – but it is also one of the most common cancers in people aged 15 to 34.

Types of skin cancer

There are two usual types of skin cancer:

non-melanoma: skin cancers which develop in the upper layer of your skin usually on the areas which are most exposed to the sun such as your face, ears, hands, shoulders, upper chest, and back
melanoma: is the more common type of skin cancer and starts in the cells that give skin its colour. In white skin it’s usually first visible as a new mole or an existing mole that has changed. However on black skin it can develop on feet or hands or under nails, or in the mouth. The changes to the cells are caused by damaged DNA so they grow and multiply ‘inappropriately’. If left untreated they can come into contact with lymph and blood vessels and then spread around the body. Because melanoma spreads, it’s the more serious condition. Yet 86% of cases of melanoma are preventable

Fun in the sun

Dr Anant Sachdev, TVCA Prevention & Early Diagnosis Clinical Lead said: “This cancer affects more men than women and men are almost twice as likely to die from the disease. However, people of all ages, and of all skin colours, need to protect themselves from sun damage to avoid skin cancer.

“Fun in the sun shouldn’t involve sunburn and increasing the chance of skin cancer. And we also encourage people who work outdoors to stay safe and avoid skin damage with simple measures. These include using a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30+ every two hours, avoiding midday sun, and wearing a wide-brimmed hat and loose cool clothing that covers your skin.

“Never let your skin burn in the sun whatever your skin type as this can cause the changes to your skin cells which cause cancer. And avoid sunbeds! They expose your skin to high intensity ultra-violet radiation which dramatically increases the risk of skin cancer. No tan is worth this risk.

“Having a suntan is no protection to further sun exposure. And babies and children need additional protection as skin cell damage – ideally they should be well covered when in direct sunlight. Sunburn blisters in childhood can increase the risk of skin cancer later in life.

“Regularly check your moles and freckles with the ABCDE method and if you notice anything new or unusual, contact your GP practice. Early diagnosis can save lives.”

Skin cancer doesn’t discriminate and affects people of all skin colours. However brown or black skin is more susceptible to a type of melanoma that is not associated with sun exposure. Instead it appears on the palms, soles, under nails, and in mucosal membranes such as the mouth. These areas should be regularly checked for people with brown or black skin[2].