Bupa Urges ABCDE Mole Checks as 5 Sunburns Can Double Melanoma Risk
Updated
Updated · HuffPost UK · Jun 22
Bupa Urges ABCDE Mole Checks as 5 Sunburns Can Double Melanoma Risk
1 articles · Updated · HuffPost UK · Jun 22
Summary
Bupa’s Dr. Tim Woodman urged people to use the ABCDE checklist during the UK heatwave to spot possible melanoma early, saying delayed diagnosis often stems from uncertainty about symptoms.
Five or more sunburns can double melanoma risk, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, and sunburn is a leading cause of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.
ABCDE flags asymmetry, irregular borders, varied colour, diameter above 6mm and evolution—changes in a mole’s size, shape or colour that should be raised with a GP.
Woodman said new, painful or changing moles or freckles should be checked promptly because early detection makes skin cancer easier to treat and improves survival.
Pale skin, tanning-bed use, heavy unprotected sun exposure and family history all raise skin-cancer risk as hot weather increases the chance of sunburn.