Sun exposure: Skin cancer is the fastest growing UK disease*

By Rebecca Smith, Medical Editor
Last Updated: 2:03am BST 09/08/2007

Doctors issued a stark warning to holidaymakers yesterday as they
revealed that skin cancer was now the fastest growing form of the
disease in the UK.

Sun exposure: Skin cancer is the fastest growing UK disease

Sunbathers are advised to apply sunscreen regularly and to stay out of
the sun between 11am and 3pm

Cases have "spiralled" in the past 10 years but thousands are still
willing to risk getting a tan on holiday, experts at Cancer Research UK
said.

Skin cancer is just one of the "lifestyle cancers" that are on the rise
as Britons risk their health by sunbathing, drinking too much and eating
a poor diet.

The number of cases of the most dangerous skin cancer, malignant
melanoma, has risen by 43 per cent in the last decade. In 2004 there
were 8,939 cases diagnosed, compared with 5,783 in 1995, the Cancer
Research figures showed.

Since the mid-1980s rates have doubled in women and tripled in men but a
recent survey showed that even though most sunbathers knew the risks
they still intended to get burnt on holiday.

Experts are also concerned at the rise of "tanorexia", a term for women
who become addicted to being tanned and use artificial sun beds often.

A little sun is known to reduce risks of breast and prostate cancer but
experts said those benefits could be gained with minimal exposure in the
mornings and evenings.

Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK's director of health information, said:
"Cases of malignant melanoma are spiralling. Exposure to UV radiation in
sunlight is the main cause of skin cancer. Most cases could be prevented
if people protected themselves and took care not to burn."

Sunbathers are advised to apply sunscreen of at least factor 15
regularly, to stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, to make sure not
to burn and to check any changes or unusual moles with a doctor promptly.

Such is the concern in Cornwall that a team of dermatologists will be
patrolling the beaches. They will be on "mole patrol" next week in
Falmouth to warn about safe sunbathing and will offer free mole checks
to sunbathers.

Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat health spokesman, said: "This
disturbing report is further warning that people need to be sensible in
the sun this summer.

"Failing to deal with pressing public health issues now can have serious
consequences later on. This must be a priority for the NHS in the 21st
century.

"We are seeing a whole generation of young people grow up with weight
and alcohol problems. The Government must act now to tackle the enormous
human and financial cost that this will bring."

Other lifestyle cancers of the mouth, womb and kidney have all risen as
alcohol consumption has increased and the obesity -epidemic has got
worse over the past 10 years.

Mouth cancer, which is caused by drinking alcohol and chewing or smoking
tobacco, has increased by 25 per cent in the last decade to 4,769 cases
and womb cancer, which is linked to obesity, has risen by more than a
fifth in 10 years. Smoking and being overweight increase the risk of
kidney cancer, the number of new cases of which has risen by 10 per cent
in the last decade to hit 7,044 cases in 2004.

Overweight and obese women are twice as likely to develop womb cancer
due to hormone disturbances in their bodies, and cases have risen from
5,018 in 1995 to 6,438 in 2004.

Half of all cancers could be prevented with a healthier lifestyle,
experts have said.

Lucy Morrish, statistical information manager at Cancer Research UK, who
compiled the figures, said: "While incidence rates for some cancers have
fallen over the past decade, others are rising and many of these could
be prevented if people avoided excessive sun exposure, smoking and
obesity and limited their alcohol intake."

However, number of cases of lung cancer has dropped have dropped by 13
per cent to 38,313 cases in 2004, which reflects the decline in smoking.

Ms Hiom added: "Everyone can help reduce their risk of cancer by
avoiding smoking, keeping a healthy body weight, eating a balanced diet
with plenty of fruit, vegetables and fibre and taking regular exercise.

"Enjoying the sun safely and avoiding sunburn also helps to reduce
cancer risk and we encourage people to get to know their bodies and see
their doctor if they notice anything unusual - and attend screening when
invited."

The report showed there has been progress in tackling some cancers, with
rates of cervical cancer falling due to the national screening programme.

Detecting changes in cervical cells before they become cancerous has
meant a drop of nearly a quarter in the number of new diagnoses of
cervical cancer in the past decade, to 2,726 cases in 2004.