Why we should all skinguard

18 Nov 2022  |   Michelle Baker

When it comes to monitoring our health, we all carry out small personal health checks daily, without thinking twice. From noticing how long it takes us to get out of breath, to prodding and squeezing for lumps, checking our joints, to examining what we excrete.

These regular checks are a vital human trait designed to keep us on top of our health, detecting warning signs before they become problems, keeping us alive and kicking!

However, when it comes to our skin, beyond angry rashes and cuts, many people tend not to give it a second glance, even though most of us know skin checking helps detect skin cancer, and avoid late detection of melanoma, which can be fatal.

Men at higher risk

Melanoma, which is the most dangerous form of skin cancer is easier to treat in its earliest stages. If left it has the potential to spread to other parts of the body, making it profoundly more difficult to treat, impacting the quality of life, and life expectancy.

Whilst mortality rates in females have increased by 80%, rates in males have more than tripled (233%) since the early 70s. One of the reasons for this disparity is due to men failing to check out suspect moles or lesions. Over 60% never check their backs – where skin cancer often occurs in men – to see if existing moles have changed, or if new ones have appeared, and end up leaving it ‘too late’.

Sam Orkar, melanoma and skin cancer surgeon says, “I often hear men who have been diagnosed with skin cancer say; ‘I noticed it, but didn’t bother because it wasn’t giving me any trouble.’ It is usually a partner who convinces them to see their GP, and it’s the denial that’s causing the trouble.”

Melanoma is the UK’s 5th most common cancer with rates having more than doubled since the 1990s, and around 44 melanoma cases are now diagnosed daily. A significant factor contributing to these statistics are increased periods of intense sun exposure; whether through working or playing sport in the sun, overseas holidays, or the use of sunbeds.

Raising awareness and educating in sport

Sportspeople and those who enjoy an outdoor lifestyle, although healthy in lots of other ways, are at an increased risk of skin cancer due to the extended time they spend under the sun. This is why the Melanoma Fund focuses on sun protection sports, aiming to raise awareness among those at the highest risk.

As part of this, we recommend that everyone incorporate a simple health check into their routines, as it really can save lives, urging anyone concerned about a mole or lesion to see their GP immediately.

“Many sportspeople avoid applying sunscreen due to ignorance, lack of motivation, disliking the feel of sunscreen, and possibly for fear of a greasy grip. They neglect to get a mole or unusual lesion checked for fear of wasting their GP’s time”, says Dr. Tony Buckland, GP, surgeon, and golfer.

With only 11% getting our skin checked by a professional, and only 33% checking our own skin annually, this is a statistic we need to change.

CHECK IT – Learn how, why, and when to perform a skin check, or consider a professional check when and where possible.

GET TO KNOW IT – Although we are all at risk, this increases for those who burn easily, have lots of moles, have fair skin, freckles, and those with red or light hair.

REPORT IT – If worried or suspicious about a mole or lesion visit your GP immediately. Trust your intuition; if it feels wrong, get it seen.

Dr. Elizabeth Blakeway, consultant dermatologist says; “Protect your skin and it will protect you, so get familiar with regular checks. Time is of the essence when it comes to melanoma and delaying a diagnosis can result in a potentially devastating outcome, so getting familiar with your skin is vital.”

For further information how and why to skin check visit: https://www.melanoma-fund.co.uk/about-melanoma/melanoma-facts-and-advice/



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