The CIEH has lent its support to a new website giving public health practitioners up-to-date advice on prevention and early diagnosis of skin cancer.
Figures contained within the Skin Cancer Profiles of the site show that nationally rates of malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, more than doubled between 1985 to 87 and 2004 to 06.
The South West Public Health Observatory (SWPHO) research shows the number of malignant melanoma cases across the UK has risen from 9,417 to 24, 356 over the period. The number of fatalities has also risen from 2,868 to 4,485.
Incidence rates are higher in the South West at 19.75 per 100,000 population, an average of 1,280 new cases a year, than anywhere else in the UK.
Welcoming the new site CIEH Principal Policy Officer Jenny Morris said:
“Many environmental health teams are active in highlighting the risks of skin cancer.
“The Skin cancer hub will be a great help in targeting and planning future activities and will we hope encourage more involvement in this key area of preventive public health.”
The website has been developed by the SWPHO with funding from the National Cancer Action Team’s National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative (NAEDI) and can be viewed at: www.swpho.nhs.uk/skincancerhub.
Director of SWPHO Dr Julia Verne said:
“Rates of skin cancer have been rising for some time and these profiles show that there is no slowing down in sight.
“Rates are increasing across all age groups and some areas, particularly in the South West and South East are facing a big challenge. We have developed the profiles and Skin Cancer Hub website so that local authorities, Primary Care Trusts and cancer networks have the information they need to address this growing health risk.