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Devon has some of the highest rates of skin cancer in the UK.
Overexposure to the sun when you are young, can lead to skin cancer in later life. Getting
too much sun can also lead to wrinkles and premature ageing.
Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world.
There are two main types of skin cancer: Malignant melanoma (the most serious type), and Non-melanoma
skin cancer (more common and easily treated).
In 2010, in the UK the lifetime risk of developing
malignant melanoma is 1 in 55 for men and 1 in 56 for women.
Skin Cancer is the most common cancer in women between the ages of 15-34 and second in men.
Getting badly burnt just once before the age of 20 can double your chance of getting malignant
melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. The most common cause of skin cancer is too
much exposure to ultraviolet(UV) radiation found in sun rays and sun beds.
Using sunbeds for the first time before the age of 35 increases the risk of developing
malignant melanoma, by 59%.
When I was younger I spent a lot of time outdoors and in my teenage years I was very active
and very sporty and was forever out on my bike training for racing. I never thought
about covering up I always thought I would never have a problem with having sun burn
but a few occasions I did get badly burnt and that's what I put it down to. I started
to notice that one of my freckles was changing colour and I thought it was getting slightly
bigger so I decided to go to the GP who told me it needed to come off straight away. It
was really scary because as soon as you year the word cancer it's 'Oh no, I didn't think
it would happen to me' but because the hospitals been so good at explaining everything to me
I was lucky that I only had a basal cell carcinoma which meant that it was spreading in situ
but it was spreading over my body. So yeah a very scary moment. If I was a teenager again
on my bike all the time, I would definitely think about putting a sun screen on. There
are some great ones out there that aren't too greasy and don't get in your eyes when
you sweat so I would really be careful think about the times of day I was going out as
well and make sure I was covered up. When I went first the first thing they said that
on my shoulder was a basal cell carcinoma which is very localised, the one that was
on my face they weren't too sure what it was. They took some out for a biopsy, waiting for
the results of that biopsy was quite traumatic. If they'd managed to get all of the cancer
from those test then that would be the end of it, but if they hadn't and the peripheral
still had cancer cells in it, then it would mean I would of had to have under gone major
skin graft surgery. As it was I had a cut from my eyelid down my cheek I had 15 stitches,
which is quite a large operation but it would have meant major major surgery and waiting
for the results of that back, I think that was the worst time. I'm here now talking to
you, you don't want to be doing exactly the same thing, in 10/ 15 years time, YOU don't
want to be stood in front of someone telling them YOUR experience. I knew it wasn't the
right thing, I knew I should have really gone into the shade or gone into a cafe and not
been on the beach all that time. I knew that. I think people are a lot more aware, parents
are a lot more aware, which is good. Hopefully the culture when I was growing up, and a bit
before as well, realise that sunbathing and being brown isn't really that important. Beauty
comes from within, we all have to look after our health, we're all responsible for our
health.
We know that it's the damage done to your skin when you're young, that could lead to
skin cancer developing in later life. So it's important to follow these five simple steps...
Cover up your skin - Throw on a loose fitting long sleeved top and long shorts to protect
yourself from the sun. Slap on the suncream - Apply generous amounts
of suncream, of at least SPF30 and above, and make sure you re apply regularly.
Wear a hat or cap - Whether it's a baseball cap or a cowboy hat, doesn't matter, they're
all good at keeping the sun off your head, face, and neck.
Slip on the shades - Don't forget, your eyes need protection too! It's important your sunglasses
need to protect your from ultra violet radiation. Chill out in the shade - When the sun's rays
are strongest, between 11am and 3pm, head for the shade and give your skin a break.
We all need a bit of sun to stay healthy but its important to understand your body and
your skin type, in order to protect yourself and stay safe in the sun.
If you're concerned or worried about any changes in your skin then please go and see your doctor,
and get yourself checked out.