Skin Cancer Awareness Month: Protect Your Skin, Protect Your Health 

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, a vital time to raise awareness about the most common form of cancer in the UK. While skin cancer is often treatable when caught early, prevention and early detection are key.

Why It Matters

Each year, thousands of people in the UK are diagnosed with skin cancer. The two main types are non-melanoma skin cancer, which is more common and less likely to spread, and melanoma, which is less common but more serious if not detected early.

What Increases Your Risk?

• Excessive sun exposure or use of tanning beds

• Fair skin that burns easily

• A history of sunburn, especially in childhood

• A family or personal history of skin cancer

• Having lots of moles or unusual-looking moles

How to Protect Your Skin

Protecting your skin doesn’t mean avoiding the sun altogether—it means being smart about how you enjoy it:

• Seek shade, especially between 11am and 3pm when the sun is strongest

• Wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses

• Use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and 4-star UVA protection—reapply every 2 hours and after swimming

• Avoid tanning beds—they significantly increase your risk of skin cancer

• Check your skin regularly for changes

What to Look Out For

Keep an eye on your skin and speak to someone at your surgery if you notice:

• A new mole or growth that appears suddenly

• A mole that changes size, shape, or colour

• A mole or patch of skin that becomes itchy, painful, bleeds, or doesn’t heal

• Any asymmetrical moles or those with irregular borders

ABCDE Rule for Melanoma

This simple checklist can help you identify warning signs of melanoma:

• A – Asymmetry: one half doesn’t match the other

• B – Border: edges are uneven or blurred

• C – Colour: multiple colours or uneven shading

• D – Diameter: usually over 6mm

• E – Evolving: changes in size, shape, colour, or symptoms

When to Seek Support

If you’re worried about a mole or any skin changes, contact your surgery. There are a range of professionals who can support you, and early action makes a real difference.

 Remember: Skin cancer is largely preventable. This month, take a few minutes to check your skin and review your sun safety habits.

If you have any concerns, your surgery team is here to help.

For more information on How to stay safe in the sun, tips for parents, SPF information, vitamin D advice click here

Published: May 19, 2025