Scottish Government
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Melanoma skin cancer on rise
Cover up in the sun to reduce risk
Cases of skin cancer in Scotland have increased by more than 30 per cent in a decade, prompting calls for Scots to take more care in the sun.
Incidence of malignant melanoma rose by 30.3 per cent from 2003 to 2013 according to the latest cancer statistics published by ISD Scotland today.
This is the largest increase of the ten most common cancers in Scotland. There were 1,172 diagnoses of melanoma in 2013, making it the 6th most common cancer in Scotland.
Maureen Watt, Minister for Public Health, said:
“Most of Scotland has enjoyed beautiful sunshine at the start of spring, and thoughts are now starting to turn to the summer holidays. But these statistics show that unprotected exposure to the sun can be dangerous.
“Simple precautions like wearing a hat, covering up, and using a high-factor sunscreen, mean you can still enjoy the sun without putting your health at risk.
“Using sunbeds is also potentially unsafe, and is illegal for under-18s. Scotland was the first country in the UK to introduce this age restriction, and for good reason.”
Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood, said:
“The best way to cut your chances of getting melanoma is to reduce your exposure to the sun, and avoid using sunbeds. The most common symptom of melanoma is a new mole, or a change in the appearance of an existing mole.
“Melanomas are usually irregular in shape and contain more than one colour. They can be larger than usual moles and might itch or bleed. If you have any of these symptoms, make an appointment at your GP surgery as soon as possible.”
Across Scotland, lung, breast, bowel and prostate cancers continue to be the most common. The total number of cancers, excluding non-melanoma skin cancers which are rarely fatal, increased from 27,095 to 31,013 between 2003 and 2013. This trend is the same across the UK and much of Europe, and is mainly connected to an increasing elderly population.
Although more people are getting cancer, survival rates are increasing. There are around 176,000 people in Scotland who have been diagnosed with cancer over the past 20 years who are still alive.
Background:
Cancer Incidence in Scotland (2013) can be viewed in full at www.isdscotland.org.
