Skin Cancer Awareness

It’s almost May, and at last we are seeing some better weather. May is skin cancer awareness month and definitely when we all start to spend more time outdoors. Long walks, days out and getting green fingered in the garden, as such we start to think about sun protection.

Here in the UK we don’t often consider ourselves at risk of skin cancer or UV induced skin damage for the most part of the year, but did you know that it’s not just sunshine that increases your risk? UV is actually present on dull cloudy days as UVA can penetrate through the clouds, windows and deep into your skin. Its actually daylight as well as sunlight that can cause damage, and it’s the accumulative effect of this through the course of your lifetime that contributes towards the mutation of skin cells.

Sitting by the window, walking the dog or hanging the washing out without adequate protection on all adds up over the years to amount to aged, pigmented skin and even skin cancer. This is why at Skin Genie we recommend broad spectrum UV protection 365 days of the year. Our favourite range of SPF is Heliocare, you can check it out here…..

But what about Vitamin D?….. We know that when we are exposed to sunlight our bodies manufacture this essential nutrient, it helps to maintain bone health and keep our immune system healthy. This has lead to a genuine concern that using sunscreen prevents us from making Vitamin D, However studies have never found that everyday use of sunscreen results in a deficiency, in contrast studies have repeatedly proven the health benefits of wearing daily sunscreen. In reality you need sun protection just as much as you need vitamin D, and the good news is you can have both.

Here are some facts about Skin Cancer here in the UK

There are around 16,700 new melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK every year, that’s 46 every day (2016-2018).

Melanoma skin cancer is the 5th most common cancer in the UK, accounting for 4% of all new cancer cases (2016-2018).

86% of melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK are preventable.

Having 5 or more sunburns doubles your risk of getting Melanoma.

UVA is a known human carcinogen and categorised as the same grade as plutonium.

For More advice on how to look after your skin this summer and all year round, or to have your moles checked visit us in the Carlisle Skin Clinic at Houghton Hall. You can book an appointment online HERE or by calling us on 01228 526886. And remember there’s no such thing as a healthy tan!

(references skincancer.org, Screencancer UK)