Since 1973, death rates from melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer – have risen by 219% in men, compared with a 76% increase in women, Cancer Research UK found. Around 1,400 men now die from the disease each year, compared to 980 women. This amounts to a total of six people a day, the charity said. Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, with 16,000 cases a year. Cancer Research UK said almost nine out of 10 cases were preventable. Experts said the new evidence highlighted how men were more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage of the disease. Men’s skin changes are often found on their trunks. Possibly, this can happen after going shirtless in the sun. Men and women are being urged to take extra care this summer, with experts warning that the sun can be just as strong in Britain as it is abroad. High “overstay” numbers are expected due to the current chaos at airports. “These figures showing that six people die from melanoma every day in the UK really drive home the importance of sun protection,” said Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK. “We all need to take steps to protect ourselves from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Getting a sunburn just once every two years can triple your risk of skin cancer.” Mitchell urged extra care over the coming days after the Met Office extended its severe weather warning for England and Wales until Tuesday. Temperatures in the UK are expected to reach record highs. “This weekend, remember to spend some time in the shade, cover up and regularly apply sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and four or five stars,” Mitchell said. “And if you notice any unusual changes in a patch of skin or nail, don’t hesitate to tell your doctor. In most cases it’s not cancer, but if it is, early diagnosis can make all the difference.” Cancer Research UK said that after taking age differences into account, it found that men were 69% more likely to die from melanoma than women. While death rates have fallen by 9% for women over the past decade, they have yet to improve for men. The rise of package holidays since the 1970s, and more recently the rise of cheap flights to sunny destinations, means more people are going abroad, sometimes several times a year, where the sun can be stronger, leading to more people to develop skin cancer. But incidence and death rates are rising faster in men than in women. Figures show that melanoma case rates in men have increased by 47% over the past 10 years, compared to 30% in women. Experts are unsure why men face faster rising melanoma and death rates, but several factors could be at play, they said. Cancer Research UK said a recent survey found that sun protection was often not a key focus for men. Although 84% of men knew that sunburn increases the risk of skin cancer, less than a quarter said they always protected themselves from the sun. When asked why they hadn’t protected themselves in the sun, 25% of men said they didn’t feel the sun was strong enough, while 23% admitted they hadn’t thought about protection. Experts believe that a main danger for men is with their torso when they go shirtless in the garden or on the beach, especially when this part of the body is periodically exposed to the sun. The trunk may not be exposed for a very long time, but for a short, intense period of time, resulting in the risk of significant burns in an area that is not normally exposed. The NHS says the most common sign of melanoma is the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole. This can happen anywhere on the body, but the most commonly affected area is the back in men and the legs in women. People can reduce their risk by using sunscreen and dressing sensibly in the sun. Deck chairs and lamps should be avoided. Regular skin checks can also help with early diagnosis and increase the chances of successful treatment.
