Caroline is supporting charities, including Melanoma Focus, Melanoma Fund and Skcin, during Melanoma Awareness Month to raise awareness of rising skin cancer rates and to urge people to stay safe in the sun. Over the last decade, the incidence rates of melanoma skin cancer, the deadliest form of skin cancer, have increased by around a third (32%) in the UK. Across the country there are now more than 17,000 new cases of melanoma skin cancer each year killing 2,333 people. In addition to this, the UK is diagnosing 156,000 new cases of non-melanoma skin cancers every year. Caroline met skin cancer patients, charity representatives and clinicians at a ‘Be Smart About Skin Cancer’ briefing in the House of Commons on 8 May to support Melanoma Awareness Month and highlight the dangers of excessive sun and UV exposure. They discussed the importance of sun safety and skin cancer prevention as well as symptom awareness. Melanoma skin cancer is a serious and potentially fatal condition, yet 86% of melanomas are preventable. Experts advise using clothing as the first line of defense from uv rays, avoiding sunbeds, seeking shade in the hottest part of the day and wearing SPF 30+ sunscreen, sun hats and sunglasses when exposed to the sun. Everyone should also be skin aware and contact their GP if they notice any unusual looking or changing moles and lesions on their skin. Following meeting leading charities, skin cancer patients and clinicians, Caroline said: “Tackling the rising issue of skin cancer in the UK must be a cross-party priority for politicians committed to improving public health. I urge all my constituents to ‘Be Smart About Skin Cancer’ cover up, seek shade and to use a broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen.” Susanna Daniels, CEO of Melanoma Focus, added:“1 in 36 men and 1 in 47 women in the UK will be diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in their lifetime. It’s a serious and sometimes fatal disease which is on the rise in the UK. We were very pleased to have the support of Caroline at this important event to raise awareness of this largely preventable cancer.”
