SKIN CANCER AWARENESS

I was delighted to support the charity, Melanoma Focus to raise awareness of melanoma skin cancer. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, accounting for 1% of all cancer deaths and killing 2,300 people in the UK per year. I met with melanoma skin cancer specialists and patients with first-hand experience of melanoma to discuss the importance of symptom awareness and skin protection in reducing the growing number of melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK. Melanoma Focus is a national charity dedicated to providing a comprehensive and authoritative source of information for public and professionals alike, as well as supporting education and promoting research about melanoma. Melanoma skin cancer is becoming more common in the UK with around 16,700 new cases every year (46 every day). Since the early 1990s incidence rates have more than doubled and in males, they have almost tripled. It is expected to continue to rise. 1 in 36 men and 1 in 47 women in the UK will be diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in their lifetime. Yet 86% of melanomas are preventable. It’s very concerning that cases of this disease are rising across the UK and I join MPs from across Parliament in encouraging people to take skin health seriously and protect themselves and their loved ones.” For more information visit Melanoma Focus' free and confidential helpline at 0808 801 0777 or visit https://melanomafocus.org/.