Skin cancer death rates ‘are on the rise’

The number of men who have died from skin cancer has doubled in the last 30 years, a leading cancer charity has warned.

Cancer Research UK said the number of cases of malignant melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer – is rising in women faster than men, but more men are dying from the disease.

The charity expressed concern over this sharp rise in fatalities from what it describes as “largely a preventable disease”.

Health experts are now warning both men and women that they must remember the dangers of the sun and take necessary precautions to avoid sun burn.

Care services minister Paul Burstow described the figures as “worrying” and called for increased vigilance over the disease, advising patients with concerns to visit their GPs as soon as possible.

He said: “When skin cancer is caught early treatment is more likely to be successful and fast action could stop the significant rise we’ve seen in the number of deaths.”