Skin Cancer Cases on The Rise

Doctors are more and more concerned about the fact that skin cancer has taken its toll on many citizens over the past few years.

Based on the statistics from Cancer Research UK, over 10,000 people above 55 years old have been diagnosed with melanoma this year, while twenty years ago only 3,100 cases were reported annually.

In other words, the rates of melanoma have almost tripled over the past two decades proving that the present situation is more than critical.

Worse, the number of cases is expected to increase if people do not take active measures to protect themselves from the UV rays. Also, everyone should make sure that they have enough vitamin D in their organism.

The Humber and Yorkshire had the highest number of cases with about 640 people, whereas the whole age group from these regions reached 1,000 cases.

There are three types of skin cancer with melanoma being the one that might lead to death. Experts believe that the leading cause of melanoma originates from the weak holiday sun protection package on which most people relied over the past three decades.

According to Nicki Embleton, Yorkshire Cancer Research UK spokesperson, sunburns do not cause skin cancer immediately, but without proper protection, they will most likely lead in time to severe consequences on our health.

With melanoma cases on the rise, people need to become more aware that they are also under the risk of developing this devastating disease. Cancer prevention is not something to joke about but a serious matter that should be taken into consideration by everyone.

Melanoma causes around 2,000 deaths every year among people over 55 years old, and it is the fifth most common cancer in the United Kingdom.

Experts strongly recommend people to stick to a correct sun protection package which includes protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, hats, and UV protecting sunglasses.

Also, beachgoers must avoid the hottest hours of the day starting from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at least, but as the weather is highly unstable nowadays, sometimes the risk of sunburns remains until evening hours.

UV rays are divided into A and B types but even if UVB rays are more common, the exposure to UVA rays increases the risk of skin cancer development as they can penetrate the skin deeper. A healthy sunscreen product with ‘broad spectrum’ label might prove to be a wise choice.

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