CASES of the most dangerous form of skin cancer have doubled among the over-55s in Scotland, according to new figures.
The emergence of cheap package holidays from the 1960s onwards has been partly blamed for the surge in cases among the so-called “sun, sea and sangria” generation.
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Cancer Research UK’s latest figures show that incidence rates of malignant melanoma have risen by 114 per cent in people aged over 55 in the past 20 years.
Rates for under-55s are also rising, but at a much slower rate of 27 per cent, and the number of people dying from the disease is also increasing.
For the first time about 150 people aged 55 and over die from malignant melanoma each year in Scotland.
However, survival rates have improved with nine in 10 people diagnosed with malignant melanoma in Scotland surviving the disease for at least five years compared to eight in 10 in the early 1990s.
In the UK as a whole, more than 10,000 people aged 55 and over were diagnosed with malignant melanoma in a single year.
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This compares with about 3,100 cases diagnosed 20 years ago.
In Scotland 900 people aged 55 and over are now diagnosed with malignant melanoma every year, while the total number diagnosed across all age groups is about 1,300.
Melanoma is the fifth most common type of cancer in the UK. Getting sunburnt just once every two years can triple a person’s risk of developing malignant melanoma.
Linda Summerhayes, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Scotland, said: “One of the reasons for the rise in melanoma rates is likely related to the ‘sun, sea and sangria’ generation who benefited from cheap package holidays from the 60s onwards.
“Getting sunburnt doesn’t mean that you’ll definitely develop melanoma, but it does increase your chances of developing the disease.
“It’s worrying to see that malignant melanoma rates are continuing to rise and it’s very important that people take care of their skin in strong sun, even if they’ve been sunburnt in the past.
“We all need some sun for vitamin D, but enjoying the sun safely and avoiding sunburn can reduce your risk of malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.
"The best way to protect skin when the sun is strong is to spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm, and to cover up with a T-shirt, hat and sunglasses.”
She added: “Sunscreen can help protect the parts you can’t cover – use one with at least SPF 15 and four or more stars, put plenty on and reapply it regularly.
"But it’s best not to rely on sunscreen alone – use a combination of things to help protect your skin whenever possible.”
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Last year the charity revealed that older men are 10 times more likely to be diagnosed with malignant melanoma than their parents’ generation and women are five times more likely.
Age is a risk factor for skin cancer and, as with all cancers, part of the reason for the increase in incidence is that people are simply living longer.
However, the scale of the change in skin cancer rates indicates that a change in our attitude to tanning and the desirability of darker skin tones are also factors.
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