Skin cancer prevention

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Northern Ireland and accounts for 28% of all cancers diagnosed here, with incidence rising over recent decades. Between 1984 and 2005, for example, the incidence of malignant melanoma for both males and females almost trebled.  Between 1993 and 2009, the number of new cases of non-melanoma cancers increased from 2,081 to 3,301 cases. 

During the period 2005-2009, an average of 3,128 new cases were diagnosed annually, around 261 of which were malignant melanomas.  At the end of 2007, there were at least 2,363 people living after having received a diagnosis of melanoma between the years 1993 and 2007. 

While most skin cancers are not malignant the most severe form, malignant melanoma, can be a potentially life threatening condition, particularly if not diagnosed in the early stages. 

In July of 2011 the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety published a new ten-year strategy (Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy and Action Plan 2011-2020) building on the previous one released in 1997 and taken forward by the Northern Ireland Melanoma Strategy Implementation Group (NIMSIG).   

 The Public Health Agency (PHA) was asked by the Department to lead on the implementation of the current strategy and to establish a multi-disciplinary steering group to take forward the strategy’s six objectives.  The strategy and action plan focuses on the prevention and early detection of skin cancers, and while it has been developed to take account of the population as a whole, it pays particular attention to children and young people, and those who spend significant periods of time outdoors through work or leisure.

The six objectives of the strategy are to:

  • Increase public awareness regarding the dangers of overexposure to UV radiation from sunlight and artificial tanning devices;
  • Reduce the overall use of artificial tanning devices;
  • Increase individual and organisation-wide practice of sun safety behaviours;
  • Increase awareness about the early signs of skin cancer and the need for prompt attention;
  • Encourage earlier detection and treatment of malignant melanomas;
  • Promote further research into knowledge, attitudes and behaviour and the epidemiology of skin cancer.

Publications
Sunbeds campaign poster
Sunbeds: look a little deeper

For further information on skin cancer prevention see:
Care in the sun - http://www.careinthesun.org/
Cancer Focus Northern Ireland - http://cancerfocusni.org/

Print