Welsh Molewatch Clinic 2009

Cancer Research UK held its first Welsh Molewatch clinic in the National Assembly for Wales on Tuesday 14th July. The Molewatch Clinic offers Assembly Members and staff the opportunity to have their skin checked by dermatologists and specialist nurses. The Clinic aims to raise awareness about being SunSmart in the summer sun. Attendees were shown how to understand their skin type and to become more aware of the kind of skin changes they should look out for.

55 people visited the Clinic including 25 AMs, who had their photograph taken with “Molly the Mole” to highlight the importance of being SunSmart through their local media. The key message this year was “Don’t let sunburn catch you out!” The event highlighted the particular risk sunburn poses to young people. Malignant melanoma - the most serious form of skin cancer - is now the most common cancer in women in their 20s.

Overall the disease kills around 2,000 people every year but rates are predicted to rise. AMs were urged to share their findings with their constituents that getting a painful sunburn just once every two years can triple the risk of this most dangerous form of skin cancer.

AMs were also interested in the issues surrounding dermatology services in Wales and spent time talking to the dermatologists about recruitment issues and service reorganisation. The event was also part of a series of events that we have been running in Wales to raise awareness of the dangers of sunbed use. For example we have recently given evidence to the Health, Wellbeing and Local Government Committee as part of their enquiry into the Use and Regulation of Sunbeds in Wales.