Elderly face growing melanoma risk

Tuesday April 7th, 2015

Cases of melanoma among the elderly have increased nearly ten-fold in 40 years as the impact of Mediterranean package holidays is felt, it has been revealed.

About 5,700 pensioners a year are now diagnosed with the skin cancer - compared with just 600 a year in the mid-1970s, according to the Cancer Research UK figures.

The overall risk for pensioners has increased by about seven times, according to the analysis.

The disease is now the fifth most common cancer in the UK, affecting more than 13,000 people a year in total.

The figures were calculated based on a three year period in the 1970s and cases of melanoma from 2009 to 2011.

The increase sees to coincide with the massive increase in cheap package holidays to resorts in the Mediterranean and Atlantic.

Cancer Research UK said the increase highlighted the need for holiday-makers to be careful of the sun.

Skin cancer expert Professor Richard Marais, from Manchester, said: "It's worrying to see melanoma rates increasing at such a fast pace, and across all age groups. It's very important for people to take care of their skin in the sun.

"It's also important for them to keep an eye on their skin and seek medical opinion if they see any changes to their moles, or even to normal areas of skin. Melanoma is often detected on men's backs and women's legs but can appear on any part of the body."

Tags: Cancer | Dermatology | Elderly Health | UK News

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