News Release
16 June 2009

New ‘Skin Cancer Profiles’ map skin cancer for every Local Authority in England

More people in the South West and South East of England get skin cancer than in any other part of the country, new figures released by the South West Public Health Observatory (SWPHO) have revealed.

But they also show that rates of the potentially deadly disease are also on the increase in northern regions.

The figures have been taken from the SWPHO’s Skin Cancer Profiles, part of the new Skin Cancer Hub website launched today. The website is aimed at giving both the general public and health professionals accurate, up-to-date advice on prevention and early diagnosis of skin cancer.

Rates of malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, more than doubled between 1985-87 and 2004-06. Incidence rates are highest in the South West at 19.75 per 100,000 population, an average of 1,280 new cases a year (2004−06) and the South East at 16.66 per 100,000 population, an average of 1,608 new cases (2004−06). The South West also has the highest mortality rate at 3.07 per 100,000 population, an average of 221 deaths per year between 2004 and 2006.
 
Four of the ten local authority areas with the highest incidence are in the South West (South Hams, Teignbridge, Plymouth, and Weymouth & Portland).

Dr Julia Verne, Director of the SWPHO said: “Rates of skin cancer have been rising for some time and these profiles show that there is no slowing down in sight. Rates are increasing across all age groups and some areas, particularly in the South West and South East, are facing a big challenge. We have developed the profiles and Skin Cancer Hub website so that Local Authorities, Primary Care Trusts and Cancer Networks have the information they need to address this growing health risk by promoting prevention messages and educating the public about early signs and symptoms.”

Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK’s Director of Health Information said: “Skin cancer is largely preventable and people need to understand their own risk to enjoy the sun safely. The main cause of skin cancer is over exposure to harmful ultra violet radiation from the sun or sunbeds. People with fair skin and lots of moles or freckles are at particular risk. These profiles offer further proof that skin cancer is an issue that must be addressed urgently.”

Cancer Tsar, Professor Mike Richards said: “The Cancer Reform Strategy makes clear that prevention and early diagnosis are key to the UK's efforts to reduce cancer incidence and mortality. It is important that those providing health services have access to the best information about who is at risk so that resources can be targeted effectively. The Skin Cancer Profiles are an excellent start in that direction.”

Notes to Editors

1. For more information or to request an interview with Dr Julia Verne (Director, South West Public Health Observatory) or Kathy Elliott (National Cancer Action Team), please contact Helen Bolton, Tel: 0117 970 6474, ext 302 or email: helen.bolton@swpho.nhs.uk or Claire Ward-Willis, Tel: 01823 361366 or email Claire.ward-willis@southwest.nhs.uk

2. The Skin Cancer Profiles can be viewed on the Skin Cancer Hub, a new website to promote the prevention and early diagnosis of skin cancer – see www.swpho.nhs.uk/skincancerhub. The Hub has been developed by the South West Public Health Observatory with funding from the National Cancer Action Team’s National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative (NAEDI). The South West Public Health Observatory is the national lead cancer registry for skin cancer. For more information about the SWPHO, see www.swpho.nhs.uk

3. Tips for skin cancer prevention:

Make sure you never burn
Spend time in the shade between 11 and 3
Use factor 15+ sunscreen
Aim to cover up with a t-shirt, hat and sunglasses
Don’t use sunbeds
Remember to take extra care with children

Early warning signs:

If you spot any changes in the shape, colour or size of a mole, or the appearance of a suspicious growth or lesion, you should make an appointment with your General Practitioner (GP) and be examined as soon as possible. If the mole or lesion is diagnosed as ‘low risk’, your GP might remove it if he/she has had the appropriate training. Otherwise you will be referred to a hospital specialist. For ‘ABCD’ diagram for early signs, see: http://www.swpho.nhs.uk/skincancerhub/resource/view.aspx?RID=32448

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