Skin Specialists and other experts have long been aware of the dangers of too much exposure to the sun, however there are concerns over the alarming numbers of people being found with skin cancer along the Costa Del Sol. In Marbella alone, 1,000 new cases are detected annually. The new information shows the need for action and awareness.
Another sobering finding was the number of cases of melanoma in Malaga province increased by 50 per cent between 2007 and 2014. It is thought that there are two reasons for the increase, firstly that awareness and prevention campaigns are beginning to have an effect, so more people are consulting their doctors, and secondly more cases are arising from bad habits over a long period of time. It is recognised that the effects can manifest themselves even 20 years later. The numbers of cases are expected to be higher on the Costa del Sol due to the large amount of hours and days of sunshine especially for those that work outdoors.
The head of oncology at the Marbella district hospital, Antonio Rueda, reveals that one of the effects of recent campaigns to raise awareness is that people are going to see their doctors with unusual marks on the skin which in other circumstances would not have been checked. Fortunately skin cancers which clinically are not going to endanger someone’s life can be diagnosed and treated straight away whereas in the past may have been missed. The good news is that of the 1,000 new cases diagnosed at the hospital every year, many have a very good prognosis. He also emphasised the importance of getting detected early, so the lesions are as small as possible.
Foreigners and Younger people.
Approximately 40 per cent of cases are said to be foreigners who tend to ‘go searching for the sun, whereas locals seem more in the habit of taking precautions. It has also been noted that adolescents aren’t very aware of the risk, or the possible effects of long exposure to the sun or especially the use of sun lamps, which have the same effects.
It is advised to consult one’s doctor in the following instances:
- if skin lesions, especially pigmented ones, change their appearance,
- grow larger,
- become wrinkled or bleed.
The best advice is still repeated by experts today: don’t spend too long in the sun and avoid the sunshine in the middle of the day, especially between midday and 4pm (although damage without protection can take place at any time) What we wear and the length of time we spend in the sun is also considered to be an additional good combination for protection.
Valuable Reminders that will help protect you :
- Avoid certain times of the day when the sun is most fierce.
- Wear Protective clothing
- Use a high factor suncream
- Avoid long exposure to the sun
