male or female doctors

Skin Cancer Deaths Soar in Men

New figures have shown a dramatic increase in deaths from skin cancer among men, while mortality rates among women have risen more slowly or even declined. 

Research presented at The National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) conference looked at data gathered by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on cancer rates in 33 countries over 3 decades spanning 3 decades, 1985-2015.

The research showed:

  • Male death rates from melanoma rose in 32 out of the 33 countries
    • The only exception was the Czech Republic, where the male melanoma death rate declined by an average 0.7% per year between 1985 and 2015
    • Female melanoma mortality declined in Austria, the Czech Republic and Israel
  • In eight of 18 countries examined, men’s skin cancer death rates had increased by over 50% in the past 30 years
    • Ireland and Croatia saw the greatest increase, where it roughly doubled
    • Spain and Britain increased by around 70%
    • The Netherlands increased by around 60%
    • France and Belgium increased by around 50%

Researchers also reviewed the 3-year data between 2013-2015:

  • The highest 3-year average death rates for 2013-2015 were found in Australia (5.72 per 100,000 men and 2.53 per 100,000 in women)
  • In the UK, 2.57 men died per 100,000 compared to 1.58 among women
  • Japan has by far the lowest melanoma mortality, for both men and women, at 0.24 and 0.18 per 100,000, respectively.

The researchers suggested that findings indicate that men are less likely to protect themselves from the sun than women, and are less engaged with melanoma awareness and prevention campaigns.

Dr. Dorothy Yang, a junior doctor at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, who led the research, said:

“Over the past 30 years mortality trends (for melanoma) have increased in most countries.

“There is evidence that suggests men are less likely to protect themselves from the sun or engage with melanoma awareness and prevention campaigns.”

She continued:

“The major risk factor for melanoma is overexposure to ultraviolet radiation, either from sun exposure or from using sunbeds.

“Despite public health efforts to promote awareness of melanoma and encourage sun-smart behaviours, melanoma incidence has been increasing in recent decades.”

For more information, see the NCRI press release at https://www.ncri.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Yang-melanoma-for-online.pdf

Mole Checks

Cosmedics Skin Clinics’ team of mole removal doctors advocate regular self-checks to spot any worrying signs early.  Dr Ross Perry simply calls it the ‘ugly duckling’ syndrome – a skin lesion or blemish that simply looks wrong or different from the others. The ABCDE rule is a handy reference guide for mole checking.

Skin Surgery Laser Clinics

Cosmedics’ Skin Surgery Laser Clinic offer private mole removal at a selection of clinics based in London and Bristol. Moles are removed using the latest surgical techniques including laser mole removal; with trained doctors and surgeons.

Our team of qualified and experienced doctors and surgeons also treat other skin blemishes, including sebaceous cysts, skin tags, warts and lipoma using  freezing, laser or surgical techniques.

For ultimate peace of mind, Cosmedics Skin Surgery Laser Clinic offer a thorough top to toe mole check carried out by their trained and experienced doctors.

Cosmedics Skin Clinics was founded in 2003 by Dr Ross Perry, a qualified and experienced London GP who has an excellent reputation in skin treatments and has removed thousands of lesions/blemishes in his career.

For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7386 0464.