Increased cancer risk potentially doubled by common blunder, say researchers in new study
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Soak up this vital advice, folks! A leading cancer charity has issued an urgent call to action for everyone, especially the younger generation, after a study uncovered a staggering truth - roughly half of Brits get burnt during their yearly sun-soaking escapades.
This worrying trend doubles the risk of developing melanoma, the grave/deadly form of skin malignancy, for up to 34 million individuals in the UK. Yikes! You just need a meager five sunburns to be vulnerable to this insidious condition, which claims more than 2,000 lives annually in the UK.
Younger age groups stand out as the most susceptible, with 65% of 18 to 32-year-olds getting their skin singed every year. Yikes again! The poll, involving 2,000 UK residents aged 16 and up, also revealed that over a third of us neglect to slick on sunscreen regularly during sunny spells, and an outright 10% never use it at all.
Fellas proved to be more haphazard than females, with an eye-rolling 42% of them bypassing the all-important SPF altogether. Woe is us!
Hannah Lowery, a 32-year-old lass from Yorkshire, recounts a harrowing tale of being diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in July 2024. Darn those sunburns!
'My folks were fastidious about smearing sunscreen on us when we holidayed abroad, but as a kid, I didn't whack it on here at home and used to burn quite a bit. I mean, really burn. Last year I nipped to the doc 'cause I noticed my moles on my noggin had altered shape.
'They shipped me off for an emergency consultation and, would ya believe it, I had melanoma, and both those moles had to be surgically removed. Hey, I was fortunate - the melanoma hadn't metastasized, but it was a nerve-wracking experience. I was just 31, and I was mothering a two-year-old tyke. It ain't worth it for a tan, mates!'
Melanoma Focus serves up some bleak statistics - there are around 17,500 fresh cases annually in the UK, making it the fifth most prevalent cancer in the country. Ponder on that for a while!
Susanna Daniels, Melanoma Focus's top banana, sighed, 'These findings are downright disconcerting since more than five sunburns during your whole life increases your melanoma risk, meaning yearly burns have potentially destructive repercussions.
'Nearly 9 in 10 melanomas are avoidable, yet the UK experiences more deaths from melanoma per year than Australia! It's paramount that everyone comprehends the dangers associated with sunburn and prioritizes sun protection by donning factor 30+ sunscreen, popping on a hat, seeking shade, and covering up in the midday sun.'
One in 35 blokes and one in 41 women in the UK will now get hit with melanoma skin cancer during their lifetime. Skin cancer signs range from innocuous to attention-grabbing, but experts stress early detection is vital for keeping those pesky cases from spreading or getting worse.
Comedian Katherine Ryan divulged that she received a second diagnosis of melanoma skin cancer in March this year. Keep your eyes peeled, folks!
To stave off melanoma, Melanoma Focus offers some solid advice:
- Limit Sun Exposure: Avoid the sun when UV rays are at their strongest (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and, you know, watch out for water, sand, and snow which can reflect the sun, intensifying your exposure.
- Use Sunscreen: Slap on broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher 15 to 30 minutes prior to stepping outdoors, and remember to reapply every two hours or twelve times during a day-long frolic.
- Wear Protective Gear: Drape yourself in wide-brimmed hats, shades, and protective garb, such as long sleeves and pants, to safeguard your skin from those nasty UV rays.
- Seek Shade: Whenever feasible, take a load off in the shade to minimize exposure to UV rays.
- The urgent call to action by the leading cancer charity in the UK highlights the risks associated with sunburn, particularly for the younger generation, as half of Brits experience sunburn each year, doubling the risk of developing melanoma.
- Melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer, claims more than 2,000 lives annually in the UK, and just five sunburns can make an individual vulnerable to this condition.
- The study found that younger age groups, particularly 18 to 32-year-olds, are the most susceptible, with 65% getting sunburned annually.
- Neglecting sunscreen use is a significant concern, as over a third of UK residents do not apply it regularly during sunny spells, with 10% never using it at all.
- Hannah Lowery, a 32-year-old woman from Yorkshire, was diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer after years of sunburn, emphasizing the importance of sun protection.
- Melanoma Focus stresses early detection of skin cancer signs, as around 17,500 new cases are diagnosed annually in the UK, making it the fifth most common cancer, and the organization offers advice on limiting sun exposure, using sunscreen, wearing protective gear, and seeking shade to prevent melanoma.
