Close inspection

At the end of your summer holiday, make sure that a fading sun tan is your only worry

When the weeks of summer stepped up to the plate and delivered days of glorious sunshine this year, it was probably easy for some of us to neglect the right care and attention we should bestow upon our bodies in the heat. As we approach the end of summer, it is best to still stick to the shade in the middle of the day, cover up with clothes, hat and sunglasses and use a high factor sun cream even if the sun appears to be hiding behind the clouds.

“Check moles regularly”

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK and the number of people affected increases every year. Malignant melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer and can usually be explained by certain factors such as your genetics or environment (one being exposure to the sun). While some forms can occur on parts of the body that are not exposed to regular sunlight or can develop without copious amounts of sunbathing, it is always important to know how to protect our skin.

Check moles regularly every few months to protect your skin from experiencing any lasting damage from overexposure. Most moles are harmless and there are many explanations for the change in appearance of them. Moles can naturally change numbers, fade away or simply fall off without you noticing. A change in your hormonal levels can also spark a difference such as pregnancy, puberty and once you reach the ages of 40-50 plus.

Knowing what to look for is the first step to helping you identify an irregularity. Certain changes in a mole’s shape and colour, the sudden appearance of a new one and even patches of skin or sore lumps that appear without an obvious cause and remain for a few weeks are invitation enough to visit your GP.

The ABCDE of moles is a useful guide developed by the NHS in order to put people’s minds at ease and create self-awareness in the hope that cases of skin cancer are found and caught early enough to prevent more serious damage. If your GP finds something abnormal, referral to a dermatologist is the next step.

So, if you’ve been soaking up the sun minus the SPF this summer, look beyond the sunburn and check for changes to moles or the appearance of new ones. Spotting these early could be beneficial to your health.

For advice, see Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital, Warren Road, Woodingdean, 01273 936948, www.nuffieldhealth.com/brighton
Words: Holly Cozens