Skin cancer awareness month 2024

Around 15,400 people are diagnosed with melanoma in the UK each year

Most skin cancers are caused by sun or tanning lamp/sunbed exposure. We can try and reduce our risk, when out in the sun, by using good quality sun lotions which protect against the ultraviolet A and B (also known as UVA and UVB) rays produced by the sun.

Other risk factors are:

So, what is it we need to look out for? The first sign of melanoma (a skin cancer) is often a new mole or a change in the appearance of a new mole. It is worth getting checked out if you have a mole which is:

The ABCDE checklist should help you tell the difference between a normal mole and a melanoma:

Melanoma can appear anywhere on your body, but they most commonly appear on the back in men and on the legs in women.

It can also develop underneath a nail, on the sole of the foot, in the mouth or in the genital area, but these types of melanoma are rare.

With early diagnosis and treatment, the outcome is usually good. If, however, there has been a negligent delay in diagnosis, the prognosis may be less favourable which the two case studies below illustrate:

Partner and Medical Negligence solicitor, Sara Westwood represented the family in these cases. She can be contacted via sarawestwood@hatchbrenner.co.uk or call 01603 214 220.

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