Skin cancer rates among people aged 55 and above are rising, a new study finds. The widespread popularity of holiday packages appears to be a contributing factor to the huge spike in skin cancer rates among middle-aged and older people as the "sun, sea and sangria generation" seeks the sun.
In Britain, 10,000 people among over 55s age group are receiving melanoma diagnoses annually. During the mid-90s, the rate was only 3,100 diagnoses per year.
And it's not just about the diagnoses. The report from Cancer Research UK also found that the number of senior folks dying from skin cases spiked to 2,000 deaths a year.
The British European Airways first launched flights from London to Alicante, Spain in 1957 to help promote its white beaches. However, many people went on holidays there without taking precautionary measures to ward off the hazards of sunburn.
Sue Deans, a 70-year-old retired teacher, was part of the so-called "sun, sea and sangria generation." Deans was diagnosed twice with melanoma. Her doctors were able to spot the cancer early. After a successful surgery, Deans has been living a healthy life since.
Deans shared that she loved being out in the sun and working on her tan. Over the years, she got sunburnt "quite a bit."
In the past two decades, melanoma rates among people aged 55 and above surged by 155 percent. Among people below 55 years old, the rates are not good either. Findings showed that the melanoma rates for this younger group is rising, but at a much slower pace. During the same period, the rate increase by 63 percent.
Cancer Research UK also said that blistered, or raw skin are not just the only signs of skin damage. Any reddening in the skin area is another symptom. People who get sunburnt once every two years can actually increase their chances of getting skin cancer by threefold.
"We all need some sun for vitamin D, but enjoying the sun safely and avoiding sunburn can reduce your risk of malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer," said Dr. Julie Sharp, the head of health and patient information at Cancer Research UK.
Sharp added that the best way to defend the skin from sunburn when the sun is strong — between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. — is to cover up. This could be in the form of a T-shirt, hats and sunglasses. Spending time in the shade is also one of the best ways to protect skin from high heat.
