Health Issues

Over-exposure to the sun can cause accelerated ageing, skin cancer, cataract and other eye disorders.

The following information is from Sunsmart (Cancer Research UK) and Melanoma Foundation UK:

About Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK and the number of people who get it is increasing. Most skin cancers are caused by damage from UV (ultraviolet) rays in the sunlight. These cancers could be prevented if we protect ourselves from the sun.

A Serious Problem:

• There are over 69,000 new cases of skin cancer diagnosed each year in the UK.
• Over 2,000 people die from skin cancer each year in the UK.
• The number of cases has more than doubled since the early 80’s.
• The incidence of Malignant Melanoma** is increasing dramatically in the UK, by 2010 1 in 75 people will develop the disease.

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

Types of Skin Cancer

There are two main types of skin cancer:

• **Malignant melanoma - the most serious type of skin cancer.
• Non-melanoma skin cancer - more common and easily treated.

For more information about Skin Cancer refer to:

Sunsmart UK (Cancer Research UK): http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/sunsmart/skincancer/?a=5441

Melanoma Foundation UK:http://www.melanomafoundation.org.uk/