Assembly Member has burning message for youngsters in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 15th Jul 2009

Peter Black highlighting the molewatch campaign

South Wales West Assembly Member, Peter Black has issued a 'red alert' warning to local youngsters after learning more about sun safety from experts at Cancer Research UK.

Mr. Black attended a special 'Molewatch Clinic' at the National Assembly this week where he was given a stark warning about the risk that sunburn poses to young people.

Cancer Research UK is urging AMs to get the message out to their constituents that sunburn can double the risk of the most dangerous form of skin cancer. *

It is vital to be aware of any changes on your skin - says the charity. And it also advises anyone who notices a change in the size, colour or shape of an existing mole to have it checked out by a GP - especially if they are fair skinned and/or have lots of moles.

Mr. Black said "I was shocked to learn that malignant melanoma - the most serious form of skin cancer - is now the most common cancer in young adults aged between 15 and 34.

"It's so important for young adults and parents to take steps to protect their own skin and that of their children by covering up, spending some time in the shade and using sunscreen.

"Attending Cancer Research UK's Molewatch Clinic really highlighted for me how important it is to enjoy the sun safely and to avoid burning. Even minor sunburn causes permanent damage beneath the skin."

He added: "Anyone with concerns about a particular mole, freckle or patch of skin that has changed over a period of weeks or months should make sure they speak to their GP without delay."

Caroline Cerny, Cancer Research UK's SunSmart campaign manager, explained: "There are more skin cancer deaths in the UK than in Australia, even though Australia has more cases of the disease. In many cases people get sunburnt when they are just out and about in the sun and not deliberately sunbathing. It's so easy to get 'caught out'."

"Rates of malignant melanoma have significantly increased in the last 25 years. But the majority of skin cancers could be prevented by being SunSmart, so it's very important to know how to enjoy the sun safely."

Cancer Research UK's SunSmart campaign encourages people to know their skin type and use the UV index to find out when they need to protect themselves.

It offers guidelines on how to be sensible in the sun:

S pend time in the shade between 11 and 3
M ake sure you never burn
A im to cover up with a t-shirt, hat and sunglasses
R emember to take extra care with children
T hen use factor 15+ sunscreen

Also report mole changes or unusual skin growths promptly to your doctor.

For information on skin cancer and the Cancer Research UK SunSmart campaign visit: www.sunsmart.org.uk

ENDS

For media inquiries, please contact the Cancer Research UK press office on 07786 704571.

Notes to Editors:

Photo shows Peter Black highlighting the Molewatch campaign

*Research says that sunburn doubles the risk of melanoma. (References: Gandini et al. 2006. Meta-analysis of risk factors for cutaneous melanoma II; Sun exposure Elwood & Jopson. 2006. Melanoma and sun exposure: an overview of published studies).

Notes to Editors:

SunSmart is the UK's national skin cancer prevention campaign commissioned by the UK Health Departments and run by Cancer Research UK.

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK.

There are more skin cancer deaths in the UK than in Australia, even though Australia has more cases of the disease.

The number of skin cancer cases is increasing year on year. The main risk factor for skin cancer is exposure to sunlight. Up to 90% of skin cancers could be prevented by being SunSmart.

Over 75,000 new cases of skin cancer are registered each year in the UK. Some experts estimate the number of cases to be in excess of 100,000 as many cases are not reported.

Each year over 1,800 people in the UK die from malignant melanoma.

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