Skin Cancer Awareness Month - May 2024

Melanoma (skin cancer) diagnosis is on the rise, a increased trend of 140% since the 1990s.

There are 16,744* new cases of Melanoma every year in the UK 
*based on an average between 2016-2018.

86% of Melanoma cases were preventable, according to Cancer Research UK in 2015.

Well... my brain says, how? Why? Surely we are all more educated about skin cancer, we have more technology now than ever before, we have more products available on the market to protect us against skin cancer. Why is this on the up?

Lets prevent this from happening to YOU

Melanoma is a type of cancer found in the skin, but can spread and affect other areas of the body. Melanoma is caused by ultraviolet (UV) light from direct sun exposure or artificial sunbeds. Too much UV light from the sun can damage DNA in your skin cells and cause skin cancer.

So what is UV light?

UV light send UV radiation through the skin. There is UVA, UVB and UVC radiation wavelengths. UVA and UVB light are the most common wavelengths, UVC light is blocked by the ozone layer and does not reach the Earth's surface.
UVA - penetrates deepest into our skin and causes the most damage to our skin DNA at a cellular level
UVB - causes skin burning and a change in our skin's pigment (colour)

Thats enough science for one day!

Now that you know what UV rays actually do, lets discuss how we can prevent and protect our skin from it, but also how we can detect any changes within our skin

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

You've all heard this saying before, im sure of it. And it couldn't be more true in this context.
Prevent sun damage and sun burn should be a priority when it comes to our skin health, but its important to understand the reasoning behind this.
My clients hear me harp on about SPF and sunscreen all day long, but i do this for an important reason. Not only is sun damage and sunburn the No.1 cause of premature ageing, but it is the cause of skin cancer. Although no one wants to directly talk about the big 'C' because its a V E R Y scary thought.

Georgia recommends...

Wearing sunscreen all year round is the No.1 most important way of preventing ageing on the skin and also skin cancer.
Wear at least an SPF30 everyday through the autumn and winter months, and at least an SPF50 throughout the spring/summer months.
Apply SPF to 2 fingers - and this is how much you need for full coverage of the face.
Remember to take your SPF down the neck and decollatege area!
Tinted SPF's are the way forward if you prefer some coverage whilst you are protecting your skin, no makeup required for the day! (girl math says this saves you money too, no need to keep buying makeup)

My favourites are:
1. Bondi Sands Face SPF50
2. La Roche Posay Invisible Fluid Suncream SPF50
3. Clinicare Dermo Corrective Cream SPF50 (Tinted SPF, available in Medium and Darker Shades)

Ensuring you top-up your SPF throughout the day is also a hugely important factor in looking after your skin... that SPF you put on in the morning, will be ineffective by lunch time when you are in direct sunlight. 
Reapply your SPF every 2-3 hours on sunny days/warm holidays to ensure you protect your skin from sun damage.
TIP - Spray SPF's are amazing to use to top-up as they do not require you to work them into the skin, meaning you can apply on top of makeup!

When you are on holiday, or during hot climates, ensure you are covering your face from direct sunlight by wearing a hat, sunhat, whichever you want to rock, or, using a parasol to cover the face and neck area. 

HOW TO DETECT SKIN CANCER?

Its important to know your own body, to be able to notice any changes visibly on the skin. You should look out for a new mole or a change in an existing mole, which may be signs of melanoma.
Melanomas can appear anywhere on your body, but they're more common in areas that are often exposed to the sun. Some rarer types can affect the eyes, soles of the feet, palms of the hands or genitals.
Check your skin for any unusual changes. Use a mirror or ask a partner or friend to check any areas you cannot see.

Changes in Moles:
- Mole with an uneven edge or shape
- Mole with a mixture of colours
- Large moles
- Moles that change over time, this could be: swollen, sore, itchy, crusty or bleeding moles

Please see a GP if you are worried about any moles or changes within your skin

Thank you for taking the time to read this,

Love, G x