The rate of skin cancer has increased dramatically in the past 20 years, particularly amongst older people. In that relatively short amount of time, the figure has tripled with more than 10,000 people over 55 getting diagnosed with malignant melanoma skin cancers each year.
Obviously the increase is partly due to us all living longer and I presume with our ozone layer issues that the actual intensity of the sun is greater and therefore more damaging. But for us Brits, it’s also been the increase in overseas holidays we all take these days and because we don’t get fear factor advertising like they do in Australia, we really don’t do enough about protecting our skin.
My childhood in Africa and Hong Kong has meant that I am a key candidate for skin cancers. I remember competitions with my brothers to see who could peel the largest piece of skin off our blistered shoulders. I don’t recall a lot of sun cream application going on and additionally sunbeds were also a significant part of our upbringing. Moving to Australia with my children was an eyeopener as they are so totally paranoid about skin protection. You couldn’t even recognise your own child in the swimming pool what with sunglasses, a hat and a whole body suit on as well as sun cream…
Apparently getting sunburnt just once every two years triples your chances of getting skin cancer – I spent my entire childhood being burnt – which is not only extremely bad news on a health level, but it also doesn’t look good now to have crocodile skin moving forward.
So now it’s a matter of observation and covering up for me and a much more rigid process of suncream application and education for my children, but it’s all a big worry. I’ve done some research and bought some very strong 50+ sun cream for the holiday, so lets hope it does the job.
Expat Mum
July 20, 2016Not to blow my own trumpet but I often get asked (sometimes rather accusingly) why I don’t have as many wrinkles as friends my age. Apart from genes (my mother isn’t very wrinkly) I can honestly say it’s because I kept out of the sun. Growing up in the NE of England, avoiding the sun was quite easy, but even when I went abroad and later as a teen, sunbathed with my friends, I was usually the one under the umbrella. I couldn’t stand that much intense heat (it used to make my heart rate go crazy) and I didn’t think my face looked very good with a tan.
Family Affairs
July 20, 2016Lucky you – I loved the sun growing up….Lx
Alice Cullerne Bown
July 21, 2016Having had Stage 3 malignant melanoma I feel I know all about this one! Wasn’t burnt much as a child but have very pale skin. The mole which turned malignant hadn’t been exposed to the sun for about 35 years …. so it’s not always sun damage. About 20 per cent of melanomas aren’t sun related. But yes, the majority are, and of course now I am even more vigilant about sun cream. I wouldn’t have thought you were particularly high risk because you do go brown and don’t seem to have many moles but keep an eye on them all xx
Family Affairs
July 23, 2016I have many moles….but yes, your malignant melanoma would have been a huge shock. I didn’t realise that was the percentage…but glad you’ve got through that stage! Have a lovely holiday wherever you go Lx