Melanoma Awareness Campaign for Gardeners
Watch Your Back
by Myfanwy Townsend Melanoma Research Fund
A campaign has launched to raise awareness of the risks of sun exposure for gardeners, raising the importance of sun protection and skin checking.
A series of events are to be held in garden centres across the UK and the campaign has the support of high profile celebrity gardeners including Charlie Dimmock and Alan Titchmarsh.
The risk of melanoma is higher in those who spend lots of time outdoors in spring and summer, which includes keen gardeners.
The campaign urges gardeners to review their sun protection habits and get their backs checked regularly for the warning signs of skin cancer.
Charlie Dimmock says:
“Gardening is a wonderful pastime and getting active outdoors is a positively healthy thing to do at any age, however we ALL need to be more aware of the dangers of the sun. Men especially can be reluctant when it comes to applying sunscreen, visiting their doctor or checking their skin for signs of change. With this attitude not only do we all risk melanoma, but all other sun related cancers.”
Alan Titchmarsh says:
“We men can be guilty of believing we don’t need to worry about sun protection, especially when we hit a certain age, however this appears to be the furthest thing from the truth. Melanoma is a terrible disease and it can destroy lives, but it is avoidable. By following these very useful guidelines you can lessen the risk of all types of skin related problems. Get outdoors, have fun, but stay sun protected.”
Research shows that the group at highest risk of developing melanoma is men over the age of 50, where the disease appears typically on the back, head and neck. These areas are often exposed to the sun while gardening and can also be hard to spot; which makes skin checking and sun protection vitally important for gardeners.
Earlier detection of skin cancer gives the best outcomes for treatment.
More information about the campaign: https://www.melanoma-fund.co.uk/
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