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Molewatch Clinic 2007
On Wednesday 20th June, Cancer Research UK’s Molewatch Clinic returned to Westminster. MPs, Lords and staff on the parliamentary estate were all invited to have their skin checked by dermatologists and skin care nurses, who volunteered to help at the event, which was run in conjunction with the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Department at the Houses of Parliament.
Over 140 people attended the clinic, with 35 MPs having their photos taken with our life-sized mole, to highlight the importance of being SunSmart to their constituency media.
Cancer Research UK runs the national skin prevention campaign SunSmart, which provides information about skin cancer, sun protection and early detection to both the public and professionals.
The event highlighted the risks associated with sunbathing in the summer sun.Rebecca Russell, Cancer Research UK’s SunSmart campaign manager, said: "Getting sunburnt increases the risk of skin cancer in general. But the kind of sunbathing binges that happen when people go to much hotter climates and bake on the beach is particularly dangerous.
"This kind of short intense exposure to the sun, leading to burning, particularly increases the risk of malignant melanoma. And each year in Britain almost 2000 people die from this form of skin cancer."
To reduce the risk of skin cancer and enjoy being out in the sun, the SunSmart campaign encourages people to know their skin type and use the UV index to find out when they need to protect themselves. They should also follow the SunSmart key messages:
Make sure you never burn
Aim to cover up with a t-shirt, hat and sunglasses
Remember to take extra care with children
Then use factor 15+ sunscreen
Also report mole changes or unusual skin growths promptly to your doctor.
More information on skin cancer and the Cancer Research UK SunSmart campaign is available from Cancer Research UK’s SunSmart website: www.sunsmart.org.uk
