The real cost of cheap holidays: Rise in skin cancer linked to budget package deals
An increase in cheap sun-drenched holidays from the 1970s onwards is thought to be a major factor in the rise of skin cancer.
16:38 22 April 2014
A sharp rise in the most serious type of skin cancer since the 1970s has been documented by Cancer Research UK.
Back in the mid-1970s around 1,800 people developed malignant melanomas but now the yearly tally stands around 13,000.
Sudden blasts of intense sun exposure via the rising popularity of package holidays to Europe from the early 1970s onwards have been given as a key reason.
Nick Ormiston-Smith, head of statistics at Cancer Research UK, said: “Since the mid-1970s, malignant melanoma incidence rates in the UK have increased more rapidly than any of today’s 10 most common cancers.
“Holidays in hot climates have become more affordable and sunbeds are more widely available since the 1970s. But we know over-exposure to UV (ultraviolet) rays from the sun or sunbeds is the main cause of skin cancer. This means, in many cases, the disease can be prevented, and is why it’s essential to get into good sun safety habits, whether at home or abroad.
“The good news for those that are diagnosed is that survival for the disease is amongst the highest for any cancer; more than eight in 10 people will now survive it.”
What are the risk factors for skin cancer?
- Red or fair hair
- Light coloured eyes
- Fair skin
- Skin that burns easily
- A history of sunburn
- A high amount of freckles/moles
- A personal/family history of having skin cancer
Tips for cutting down the risk of getting skin cancer:
Caroline Cerny, senior health campaigns manager at Cancer Research, said: "Everyone loves getting out and about and enjoying the summer sun. It's essential to take care not to burn - sunburn is a clear sign that the DNA in your skin cells has been damaged and, over time, this can lead to skin cancer.
"When the sun is strong, pop on a T-shirt, spend some time in the shade and use a sunscreen with at least SPF15 and good UVA protection."
What are the 20 most common cancers?
Cancer (site)
- Breast (C50)
- Lung (C33-C34)
- Prostate (C61)
- Bowel (C18-C20)
- Malignant Melanoma (C43)
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (C82-C85)
- Bladder (C67)
- Kidney (C64-C66,C68)
- Brain, Other CNS & Intracranial Tumours (C70-C72, C75.1-C75.3, D32-D33, D35.2-D35.4, D42-D43, D44.3-D44.5)
- Pancreas (C25)
- Leukaemia (C91-C95)
- Uterus (C54-C55)
- Oesophagus (C15)
- Ovary (C56-C57)
- Stomach (C16)
- Oral (C00-C06,C09-C10,C12-C14)
- Myeloma (C90)
- Liver (C22)
- Cervix (C53)
- Thyroid (C73)