UK Melanoma Cases Hit Record 20,980 in 2022 as 90% Are Deemed Avoidable

4 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 21

20,980 new melanoma cases were diagnosed in the UK in 2022, the first time the annual total has topped 20,000 for the deadliest form of skin cancer.
Cancer Research UK said excessive UV exposure from the sun and sunbeds is a key driver, estimating nine in 10 cases are preventable; rising awareness and possible overdiagnosis may also be lifting recorded rates.
Women are more often diagnosed at younger ages, linked to sunbathing and sunbed use, while rates are higher in older men because of long-term sun exposure.
The government is considering mandatory ID checks for sunbed users after warning that under-18s, some as young as 14, can still access tanning beds through contactless self-service systems.
The charity urged people ahead of a likely sunny bank holiday to seek shade, cover up and use at least SPF 30 sunscreen, stressing that early checks for new or changing skin marks can be lifesaving.

If sunbeds raise cancer risk by 75%, why are they still legal in the UK when banned elsewhere?

With 90% of cases avoidable, is the high cost of sunscreen creating a preventable public health crisis?

As AI advances, could your phone become your primary tool for detecting these deadly skin cancers?