Chris Evans, a radio host, has stated that he has been diagnosed with skin cancer.
The 57-year-old broke the news with his Virgin Radio listeners on Monday morning, adding that it was discovered in its early stages.
Skin cancer diagnoses have reached an all-time high in the United Kingdom. According to Cancer Research, 17,500 individuals are diagnosed with cancer in the UK each year, with the number expected to rise by 50% in the next 20 years.
‘The rise in rates in over-55s is likely to be linked to trends to have tanned skin and the cheap package holiday boom dating from the 1960s before people became more aware of skin cancer,’ the charity said.
It is estimated that 26,500 people would be diagnosed with skin cancer each year by 2040, implying that we must be vigilant in identifying the warning indications.
Yes, we reside in the UK, where the weather is horrible most of the time, but the sun can still cause considerable damage whether you’re at home or overseas.
Melanoma symptoms include a change in a mole, freckle, or a normal area of skin, but how can we know whether this is cause for concern?
Dr Sagar Patel, a dermatology specialist at MyHealthcare Clinic, said: ‘Unfortunately, the UK is way behind countries such as Australia and the United States when it comes to awareness of moles.
‘While regular mole-mapping is very common in other parts of the world, many Brits simply ignore changes in their skin.
‘Granted, we don’t have the same warm climate, but you don’t need high temperatures to be exposed to harmful UV rays that can increase the chances of a mole becoming cancerous.’
So it’s clearly important to check our skin regularly, but how?
Dr Sagar has a good acronym for guiding your frequent checks of your skin.
‘This simple guide is used by skin specialists to help patients understand what they should be looking out for,’ he said.
- ‘A – asymmetry, when half the mole doesn’t match the other
- ‘B – border, when the outline of the mole is irregular, ragged or blurred
- ‘C – colour, when it varies throughout and/or there appears to be no uniform colour
- ‘D – diameter, if it’s greater than 6mm
- ‘E – evolving, or changes in the mole.
‘If you check your moles for these five points it can help you stay on top of any issues.
‘But there is no substitute for having an appointment with a specialist, who will examine your skin and discuss any area of concern.’
Dr. Sagar also want to debunk a few popular beliefs that you may believe to be true.
He stated that a mole does not have to be itchy or bleeding in order to merit a checkup; there might be more subtle changes or no symptoms at all.
Having said that, moles do occasionally shift somewhat over time.
‘Moles can change over time,’ Dr Sagar said, ‘becoming raised and altering in colour, shape and size. Some even disappear altogether,’ said Dr Sagar.
‘This is where being aware of your skin is key, as changes that occur over months rather than years – moles becoming darker quickly – are definitely worth getting looked at as a matter of urgency.’
Another myth is that skin cancer affects people with fair skin more than people with darker skin, which is just not true.
He said: ‘Yes, those with a darker complexion are slightly more protected from the sun than those who are very fair.
‘But it doesn’t mean they can’t be exposed to enough UV rays to damage the skin cells and increase the likelihood of developing a melanoma.’
Finally, it is critical to examine all of our skin for changes, not just our moles. So go ahead and start checking.