Melanoma skin cancer cases at an all-time high in UK

A cancer charity is warning people to do more to protect themselves from the sun as the number of melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK continues to rise. 

As a medical negligence lawyer who supports people affected by cancer, I know how important it is to be aware of the risks of sun damage, particularly given the time of year and recent heatwave we've had.

Cancer Research UK predicts there will be a record 20,800 cases diagnosed this year – up from a yearly average of 19,300 between 2020 and 2022.

Its analysis shows rates rose by almost a third between 2009 and 2019 - from 21 to 28 cases per 100,000 people.

The rise in diagnoses is partly due to a growing ageing population and an increase in awareness of the signs of skin cancer. The report suggests around 17,000 melanoma cases every year are preventable – with almost 9 in 10 caused by too much UV radiation. 

What is melanoma?

Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer than can spread to other parts of the body.  It can appear anywhere on the body, but is more common on areas exposed to the sun. 

According to Cancer Research UK, the biggest increase is in the older age group, particularly adults over the ages of 80, where diagnoses have risen from 61 to 96 cases per 100,000 over the last decade. 

Another increase is among adults between 25 and 49, going up from 14 to 15 cases per 100,000 people. 

The article focuses on a woman diagnosed with skin cancer in 2018 after spotting a tiny blemish on her leg. Luckily, the melanoma was caught early when she went to the doctor and was referred. After having surgery to remove it she's now cancer free. 

Symptoms

It's important to be aware of the signs of melanoma, to ensure that people can identify symptoms early and speak to their GP. It means that referrals can be made quickly and potentially the melanoma is easier to treat. 

The main symptoms to look out for are:

• A mole which has changed in size, shape or colour;
• A mole which is painful or itchy;
• A mole that is inflamed, bleeding or crusty;
• A new unusual mark on your skin that has not gone away after a few weeks; or
• A dark area under a nail that hasn't been caused by an injury 

Cancer Research UK Chief Executive Michelle Mitchell says that survival from cancer including melanoma continues to improve, but it's vital that people try to reduce their risk of getting the disease in the first place. 

Almost 9 in 10 adults diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in England will survive the disease for 10 years or more.

Conclusion

It's important for people to be aware of the symptoms of melanoma and that sun exposure can increase your risk of developing this type of cancer. If anyone has symptoms they're worried about, go to the GP and get it checked, as diagnosing and treating cancer at any early stage can be life-saving. 

As a medical negligence specialist, I've supported people and families of loved ones who have suffered a delay in diagnosis or misdiagnosis with cancer, which can have serious impact on their life such as more invasive treatment, the cancer spreading or a terminal diagnosis. 

It's important to be aware that identifying symptoms early helps to effectively manage and treat the cancer.

Find out more about our expertise in supporting people and families affected by cancer at our dedicated cancer misdiagnosis medical negligence section.