Don't be a mad dog: keep out of the midday sun

Rates of the deadliest form of skin cancer could treble in Britain the next 30 years if people do not protect themselves from the sun's harmful rays.

Professor Brian Diffey, of Newcastle General Hospital in northern England, said while more than 7300 cases of malignant melanoma were diagnosed each year in Britain and 1700 people died of the disease, many cases could be prevented.

"If present rates of melanoma continue, as they have done in the last 25 years, then in 30 years time the rates are predicted to be three times what we see today," Professor Diffey said. "We're seeing an ever-upward rise."

He said it was essential that people monitor moles and skin blemishes and report any changes in them because detecting the disease early was vital.

Malignant melanoma accounts for about 10 per cent of reported cases of the illness and about 133,000 new cases of the disease are diagnosed worldwide each year.

It usually develops in cells in the outer layer of the skin but can spread to other parts of the body, forming secondary tumours.

Melanoma is the second most common cancer among people aged 15 to 34. Researchers say sunburn in childhood can double the risk of melanoma in later life.

People are advised to stay out of the midday sun, avoid sunburn, apply sunscreen, and wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses.

Professor Robert Souhami, of Cancer Research UK, said that half of all cases of cancer could be prevented by making lifestyle changes.

"Reducing the risk of skin cancer is something most of us can do."

- REUTERS