With skin cancer on the rise, I got mine tested just in case
Share this @internewscast.com

The most serious form of skin cancer is rising in the UK with experts predicting the highest rates on record this year. Cases of malignant melanoma are forecast to increase from an average 19,300 a year between 2020-2022, to 21,300 cases, says Cancer Research UK. Even getting sunburnt once every couple of years can triple your risk, and the charity warns that how much sunscreen we use, and how much we cover up, are likely to be linked to where melanoma develops.

Two in five melanomas in men are found on the chest, back and abdomen, while more than a third in women are found on the legs. But faces, arms and even the soles of our feet can be vulnerable. Sensible application of sunblock, hats and long sleeves can protect us. But as climate change sees hotter weather become more common, we all need to be aware of protecting our skin.

Which is why I decided to try out Boots’ mole-scanning service after becoming concerned about marks I believed to be sun damage on my face. I’ve always been quite moley but I’ve noticed a brown patch on my cheek. It was barely noticeable at first but, on work Zoom calls recently, I’ve found it catching my eye under the glare of the high-definition camera. So when I read about rising rates of skin cancer, it seemed worth getting advice.

Boots launched its mole-checking service, in partnership with ScreenCancer, a few years ago but has seen an uptick in appointments. It also recently launched pharmacist training for checking common skin conditions.

With many GPs working flat out and appointments hard to book, the £40-a-mole service could be a life-saver. I popped into Boots in central London, where store pharmacist Whitney Lodovica, 27, explained she would take some HD images to be analysed by the experts at ScreenCancer.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

“I Tried Removing My Rotten Teeth with a Shoelace – It Wasn’t as Easy as I Expected”

A man who ‘sawed out’ his rotten teeth with a shoelace has…

Mitigate Your Dementia Risk: Lifestyle Changes for Healthy Aging

It’s commonly assumed that dementia is simply an inevitable part of growing…

Why a Remote American Community Faces a Surge in Severe Birth Defects

It’s the northernmost state in America, made up of remote towns and…

Doctors Dismissed My Heart Flutter as Anxiety, Until I Coughed Up Blood

Lindsay Herriott, 40, had an easy pregnancy, giving birth in September 2022…

How Missing NHS Tests Led to Vision Loss in One Eye

When Matt Weale visited the optician, the worst thing he expected was…

UKHSA Releases ‘Disease Prevention’ Alert for International Travelers

As summer getaways approach, countless Brits are eagerly preparing for their breaks,…

Artificial Sweetener Potentially Connected to Highly Aggressive Brain Cancer

A recent Chinese study has uncovered a concerning relationship between aspartame, a…

NHS Advises Wimbledon Fans to Pack This Essential Item

Wimbledon’s Championships are among the biggest sporting events of the year, attracting…

Nighttime Routine Might Be Elevating Your Heart Disease Risk

A common habit may be increasing your risk of  heart disease, heart…

Revolutionary Finding Set to Increase Autism Diagnoses, Impacting One American Group the Most

Groundbreaking new autism research suggests that already-rising diagnoses could jump more significantly…

New Research Approves Breakfast Beverage for Diabetics

A new study has uncovered that people with type 2 diabetes can…