"Stay safe in the sun", local nurse urges

The most recent figures available from the National Cancer Intelligence Network indicate that new cases of malignant melanoma from the West Berkshire PCT area (2010) totalled around 89 diagnosed each year.
Malignant melanoma, a type of skin cancer, is the fifth most common cancer in the UK with around 37 people diagnosed every day.
Macmillan skin cancer nurse specialist based at Royal Berkshire Hospital, Alice Andrews, said: “Most melanoma’s are linked to over exposure to UV rays from the sun or a sunbed.
“Some of the early signs of melanoma may be a mole that changes colour, bleeds, itches or is painful, or the development of a new mole. If you are worried about any changes on your skin you should visit your GP.”
She added: “Skin cancer, if caught early, is very treatable and actually has one of the highest survival rates of all cancers.
“That’s why being aware of the signs and symptoms is so important, and everyone can help themselves by taking care of their skin; our advice is to avoid sun beds, wear a high SPF sun screen with a four star rating or more so it will block out UVA as well as UVB rays, and cover up in the sun.”