People in the North West ‘naive’ of skin cancer risks

Fun in the sun at Hollingworth Lake

The difficulty of slowing the rise in skin cancer cases is revealed in a new study. It shows many people in the North West to be unaware of the risks, failing to protect themselves or their children, and unable to recognise potentially harmful symptoms. It also shows that men are significantly less able to recognise changes to the skin which should prompt medical attention.

The survey of 2086 people by YouGov for the Nuffield Health shows that more than half of people in the North West (51%) believe their risk of skin cancer to be low or non existent. Just over half (56%) of those questioned said they thought teens and young adults (16-24) were at risk of the disease; despite skin cancer being the second most common cancer in young adults. Experts say confusion surrounds a disease which killed more than 2,700 last year in the UK.

Less than half (46%) said they thought people aged 55-64 were at risk, despite recent figures showing rates of melanoma – the most deadly form of skin cancer - have trebled in the over 50 in the past 30 years. Less than four in ten (42%) said those aged 65+ are at risk of the disease -the highest risk age group for late stage melanoma.

People in the region also struggle to recognise changes to the skin which should trigger a visit to a doctor. Although more than half (57%) said they felt confident they could recognise potentially harmful symptoms, just over four in ten (42%) were able to identify five or more classic signs or symptoms of the disease - the highest percentage regionally in Britain who could do so. Nationally, men were significantly less able to do so – less than a third (27%), compared to four in ten (44%) women. The figure dropped to just over a quarter (27%) of those aged 65+.

The figures come as data from Nuffield Health’s UK hospitals show a 16% rise in skin cancer cases among young people (16-34) since 2007.

A sun tan is still seen as a sign of health and wellbeing in the North West, with more than half (60%) saying they look healthier – the highest figure of any region - and nearly one in five (19) saying they look more attractive.

Experts say repeated sunburn significantly increases the risk of skin cancer later in life. Despite this, more than a third (34%) of people in the region say they burn at least once a year or more, while nearly a fifth (19%) of those with school aged children said their children burn once a year or more. 13% of people admitted to ‘binge sunbathing’, saying they take every possible opportunity to spend time in the sun.

Almost a fifth (18%) of people in the North West say they never use sun cream in the UK - one of the lowest figures of any region - while more than a third (34%) use it only occasionally on sunny days but not all. One in five (16%) said they thought it unnecessary in the UK, the same percentage said it was too much hassle or they could not be bothered to use it more frequently.

However, three quarters (76%) of those who exposed themselves to sun or sun beds said they would reconsider if they believed they were at risk, suggesting further public awareness campaigns are necessary.

Mr Paul Banwell, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Nuffield Health, said: “There is an inherent naivety among people in the UK about the risks of skin cancer. Because we live in a climate with relatively little sunshine and lots of rain people believe they are not at risk, but this is a fallacy. These are often the people who fail to protect themselves in the sun, yet who later on in life are utterly shocked to discover they are suffering the consequences.

"The biggest predictor for skin cancer later in life is sun burn when you are young; whether it materialises in your early 20s or in your 60s.

"Sadly, sun awareness and skin checks are not part of our education, and this needs to be addressed as a priority”

Dr Walayat Hussain, Consultant Dermatologist and Dermatological Surgeon at Nuffield Health, said: “Skin cancer can affect anyone at any time and can be a particularly aggressive disease.

"Unfortunately, awareness is generally low, so that by the time a patient is referred they may have been living with the disease, undiagnosed for some time.

"A skin check by a specialist Consultant Dermatologist is painless and quick and should be part of the routine of anyone who spends lots of time outside.

"Being familiar with what’s on your skin means you will notice any small changes and seek early treatment if necessary.”