Check your skin for change on Sun Awareness Week
The Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland are reminding people during Sun Awareness Week (5 to 11 May 2014) to check their skin for signs of skin cancer.
Malignant melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer that begins in the skin and can spread to other organs in the body. The most common sign of malignant melanoma is the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole.
Dr Miriam McCarthy, Consultant in Public Health Medicine with the PHA, said: “The number of cases of malignant melanoma in Northern Ireland has more than doubled in the past 20 years. New evidence from the Health Survey Northern Ireland indicates that very few people here regularly check their skin for signs of any type of skin cancer, despite it being the Northern Ireland’s most common cancer type.
“You may have some moles or dark patches on your skin that are flat or slightly raised. Usually these will remain harmless all your life, but moles or patches of normal skin that change in size, shape or colour over weeks or months in adult life should be checked out.
“Early detection of skin cancer can significantly improve survival so regularly checking our skin is important. If you notice changes to a mole or an area of normal skin tell your doctor who may refer you to a dermatologist.”
Malignant melanoma can occur when cells in the skin begin to develop abnormally. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or sunbeds increases your risk of skin cancer. By being sun safe and avoiding sunbeds you can help protect your skin against skin cancer.
Marbeth Ferguson, Skin Cancer Prevention Co-ordinator at Cancer Focus NI, said: “A lot of people have no idea what to look for even if they were to check their skin. A good way to tell the difference between a normal mole and a melanoma is to use the ‘Looking for a change’ checklist.”
Things to look out for:
• a mole changing shape, particularly if the outline becomes irregular;
• a mole changing colour – becoming darker, patchy or multi-shaded;
• an existing mole becoming larger than 6mm (the size of the blunt end of a lead pencil) or a new mole growing quickly;
• a mole starting to itch or become painful;
• a mole bleeding or becoming crusty; or
• a mole looking inflamed.
The PHA and Cancer Focus NI will have a stand at the Balmoral Show from May 14 to 16 with advice about care in the sun. This will be Cancer Focus NI’s 25th year providing sun safety information at the Balmoral Show. For further information click on www.careinthesun.org
If you are concerned about skin cancer you can also call the Cancer Focus NI free information and support helpline on 0800 783 3339 or email one of the charity’s nurses on helpline@cancerfocusni.org
Ends
1. Sun Awareness Week takes place from the 05th to 11th May. It is trademarked to the British Association of Dermatologists www.bad.org.uk/sunawareness
2. The Health Survey Northern Ireland conducted by the Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety aims to capture information on a range of health topics. The survey runs on a continuous basis with separate modules for different policy areas, e.g. skin cancer prevention, included in different years. Survey results are available at http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/stats_research/stats-public-health.htm
3. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Northern Ireland and accounts for over 30% of all cancers diagnosed here - around 3,550* people develop it each year. 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. (* average number per year from 2008-2012. Ref. NI Cancer Registry)
4. It is important to check skin regularly for suspected skin cancers. Check the whole body as skin cancer can occur in places not normally exposed to the sun. Be aware of any new spots, or existing spots that have changed colour, size or shape. A skin cancer may be a spot that bleeds easily, never heals properly or is always itchy. If an unusual spot is identified, show this to a doctor. Most skin cancers can be treated successfully if treated early.
5. The Public Health Agency is the lead organisation for the implementation of the Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy and Action Plan 2011-2021 launched in July 2011.
6. Building on the work of the former Northern Ireland Melanoma Implementation Group (NIMSIG), a Skin Cancer Strategy Implementation Group, jointly chaired by the Public Health Agency and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland, has been established to take forward the six objectives contained in the Strategy and Action Plan.
7. The Skin Cancer Strategy Implementation Group is a multi-agency group which includes representatives from the Public Health Agency, Cancer Focus Northern Ireland, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Environmental Health, General Practice, Pharmacy, the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust, the Northern Health & Social Care Trust, the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust, the Southern Health & Social Care Trust, the Western Health & Social Care Trust, the Health & Safety Executive Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry.