ARE YOU SUN AWARE ? 

Sun Awareness week is a vital campaign, as Skin Cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, and rates continue to rise. The dates of Sun Awareness Week 2022 are Monday 2^nd to Sunday 8^th May. We will be getting involved this year by offering additional Skin Clinics on 4^th, 7^th, 11^th and 13^th May. 

Did you know? There are two main types of skin cancer – Melanoma and Non-Melanoma. The more common are the Non-Melanoma skin cancers which are not connected to moles and are less serious than Melanoma because they are less likely to spread to other parts of the body. Most can be effectively treated and cured if detected early.

The two most common Non-Melanoma skin cancers in the UK are

1. Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) – this is a slow growing and very rarely if ever spreads to other parts of the body. Treatment can be complicated depending on site and size of the lesion, especially if it has been neglected for a long time or is in an awkward site such as near the eyes, ears and nose.

2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) – this is the second most common skin cancer; it is usually slow growing, but can also grow quickly. This type is a more serious skin cancer than BCC if left untreated as there is a small chance (2-10%) that it can spread around the body and be potentially life threatening.

Malignant Melanoma is the more serious, but less common type of skin cancer. Melanoma can arise in or near a mole but also appear on skin that previously looked normal. They develop when skin pigment cells become cancerous can multiply in an uncontrolled way. They can spread to the skin around them and to other areas of the body. It is the 5^th most common cancer in the UK.