17 September 2009
This summer may not have turned out to be the scorcher we were expecting, but for the players of Surrey County Cricket Club, protecting themselves against the sun's harmful rays was still a priority.
That's why Chris Harland, consultant dermatologist for Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, paid the team a visit at the famous Oval cricket ground to test them for signs of skin cancer.
Dr Harland said: "Cricketers are a high risk group for skin cancer because they play long games at the height of summer. That's why it's so important that the whole of the team can recognise the tell tale signs of skin cancer and know how best to protect themselves against it in the first place.
"The team were really nice and I'm pleased to say that none of them, including the coaches or the physios had any signs of skin cancer. It was a pleasure to meet them all, and they were all keen to learn more about the risks.
"But it's not just sportsmen that need to protect themselves from the sun. Unfortunately, skin cancer is very common in the UK, and more and more people are getting it every year. In fact, it is now so common that there are now more deaths in the UK from skin cancer than there are in Australia."
Although the summer is almost over, Dr Harland recommends that people check their skin regularly for changes, especially if you are fair skinned with a lot of freckles.
Skin cancer often first appears as a change in a mole or patch of normal skin. The 'ABCD' rule can help you remember what to look for when it comes to changes in moles:
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A = Asymmetry. The two halves of a dangerous mole may not look the same;
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B = Border. Edges of a melanoma (a cancerous mole) may be irregular, blurred or jagged;
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C = Colour. The colour of a melanoma may be uneven, with more than one shade;
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D = Diameter. Many melanomas are at least 6mm in diameter, the size of a pencil eraser.
What are the signs of skin cancer?
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A new growth or sore that won't heal;
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A spot, mole or sore that itches or hurts;
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A mole or growth that bleeds or scabs.
Most changes in the skin are not caused by cancer, but if you are worried, or have any of the above symptoms, make an appointment to see your GP.
