Skin cancer: 'worrying' rise in hospital cases

The UK is experiencing a "tsunami of skin cancer", say doctors who blame the affordability of foreign holidays, the increase in the use of sun beds and the continued fashion for tanned skin.

Overall, the number of people in the UK being treated for skin cancer in hospitals has increased by 41 per cent in just five years and is continuing to rise at a "worrying rate", Matthew Gas from the British Association of Dermatologists told the BBC.

The data, compiled by researchers at Public Health England, does not include cases treated at outpatient units or by GPs. This increase has meant the NHS is now spending £95 million a year on skin cancer treatments in hospitals that are already under severe financial pressure.

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"As holidays to sunny locations become cheaper and tanned skin remains a desirable fashion statement, we have seen an inevitable increase in skin cancer incidence rates and the associated health and financial burden they place on the nation," said Jonathan Major from the British Association of Dermatologists.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK, and is more prevalent than all the other cancers combined. While some forms of skin cancer can be deadly, they are largely preventable by avoiding exposure to the sun and using sun cream.

Professor Jane Maher, chief medical officer at Macmillan Cancer Support told the Guardian that death rates in the UK from skin cancer are still among some of the worst in the world. "Today's figures are a clear warning sign that the British public are still not taking the risks of skin cancer seriously enough," she said. She urged all political parties to make sure cancer remains "a top health priority" ahead of the next general election.