Sun safety

Looking after your skin and protecting yourself from the sun

FACT: Sunbeds are estimated to cause around 100 deaths from melanoma every year in the UK

Skin cancer is becoming more and more common in the UK. It is more often than not linked to too much sun exposure and sunburn - factors which can easily be protected against. Have a look at the following Cancer Research UK guide on preventing skin cancer.

Download Preventing skin cancer - How to be SunSmart

Discovering skin cancer at an early stage can save lives, so it's important that we know the signs as soon as possible. Skin cancer often appears with a change to a mole or a normal piece of skin. Should you notice any change, such as a change in size, shape or colour over a period of a few weeks or months you should visit your general practitioner.

Detecting skin cancer

What if I notice a change?

If you are concerned about skin changes then visit your doctor without delay. Any change in a mole, freckle or normal patch of skin that occurs quickly, over weeks or months, should be taken seriously.

Keep an eye on your skin

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 shown to your doctor.

What should I be looking out for?

Get to know your skin and look out for any changes. When checking your skin use the ABCD rule to help you remember the main warning signs for malignant melanoma. Also remember to look out for other changes that might indicate less serious non-melanoma skin cancer

The ABCD rule

If you notice any of the following signs, then see your doctor without delay.

• Asymmetry: The two halves of your mole do not look the same
• Border: The edges of your mole are irregular, blurred or jagged
• Colour: The colour of your mole is uneven, with more than one shade
• Diameter: Your mole is wider than 6mm in diameter (the size of a pencil eraser)

Other signs of skin cancer

• a new growth or sore that won't heal
• a spot, mole or sore that itches or hurts
• a mole or growth that bleeds, crusts or scabs

(Reproduced with thanks to Cancer Research UK)