Melanoma awareness week (June 13th - 21st)

The Myfanwy Townsend Melanoma Research Fund is carrying out a range of activities this week to increase awareness of malignant melanoma as well as raising funds for much needed scientific research.

Established ten years ago by the family and friends of Myfanwy Townsend who died of melanoma, the charity has so far raised over £ 200,000 to support their objectives of promoting symptom awareness, prevention, early diagnosis and scientific research aimed at finding a cure.

This month, the first Mobile Mole Assessment Unit will be touring beaches, shopping centres and festivals in the West Country, made possible by £45,000 funding from the charity and a matched donation by Cornwall PCT.

The charity also has benefitted from the tremendous support from Leeds United Football Club whose sports therapist, Bruce Craven died of mealnoma at the age of 32, and seed manufacturer Thomson and Morgan have named a giant sunflower after the charity's motto "The Darker Side of the Sun"

In the UK, the number of malignant melanoma cases has exceeded the 10,000 mark for the first time. Experts believe the reasons for the rise include cheaper holidays in the sun, binge tanning (both here and abroad) and the popularity of sunbeds.

Mailgnant melanoma cases have more than quadrupled over the last 30 years, and is now the biggest cause of cancer in women in their twenties.

Although women are more likely to be diagnosed with the disease, men are more likely to die from it, almost certainly because men are more reluctant to visit a doctor and have it checked in the earlier stages of disease.

Who is at risk?

Over exposure to the sun is the main cause of this potentially fatal cancer, so everyone is at risk. However, some should be particularly careful in the sun. These include:

• People with light coloured eyes or hair, who burn easily in the sun and find it difficult to tan
• People with numerous frackles or moles, unusually shaped or large
• Having a history of sunburn, especially as a child
• Anyone using sunbeds
• Having a family history of skin cancer

Protect yourself

When out and about:

• Use high protection sun creams, minimum SPF 15
• Wear wide brimmed hats, sunglasses, and cover your arms and legs
• Avoid the sun when it's at its strongest between 12 noon and 3pm

Melanoma checklist

Use Dr.Chris' seven point checklist to spot a mole that may develop into a melanoma

• Does it itch?
• Is it bigger than the blunt edge of a pencil?
• Is it increasing in size or shape?
• Does it have a ragged edge?
• Is it a mixture of different shades of brown and black?
• Is it inflammed or painful, or have a reddish edge?
• Is it bleeding, oozing or forming a crust?

If yes to any of these questions, pay a visit to your GP.

More information

Myfanwy Townsend Melanoma Research Fund www.melanoma-fund.co.uk

Cancer Research UK www.cancerresearchuk.org

This article was published on Mon 15 June 2009