A dangerous cocktail of apathy and ignorance means that over half (53%) of brits are not concerned by the threat of skin cancer and one third (32%) never check their moles for signs of change; this is despite the fact that melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer and that the number of new cases in the UK has doubled in the last 20 years.

In response to its research findings, Boots is today launching ‘Spot The Difference’, a nationwide campaign to get the population to check their moles and to understand what to look out for. The campaign includes: · Mole health guidance for Boots pharmacists · In-store mole checks · 266 Suncare Advisors to provide sun awareness advice

Shining a light on the symptoms

A significant barrier to people taking skin cancer seriously is a lack of knowledge of how to check for it. Compared to some other forms of cancer, Brits are far less confident about checking themselves for signs of skin cancer (31%) than breast (38% of women) and testicular (62% of men) cancers. Men are also less likely to check their moles than women – 38% of men never check compared with 26% of women, and of those who do, over a third (38%) admit they don’t know what they are looking for.

Boots is now providing all of its 4,000 pharmacists with guidance in mole health, which they will use to help educate and advise the public. With three quarters (76%) of Brits admitting they don’t want to bother a healthcare professional with their moles, Boots is hoping that easy access to its network of pharmacists will provide a good first point of contact for anyone with mole concerns. These personnel will then strongly advise anybody with a doubtful mole to see their GP at once.

Professor John Hawk, dermatological consultant adviser to Boots comments: “If melanoma is detected within the first few months, it is almost always easy to treat and totally curable, so we’re hoping that through Boots ‘Spot The Difference’ drive, people will easily know what to look for and start regular simple checks.”

Professor Hawk recommends that everyone checks their moles every few months and if they spot any, usually all, of the following four symptoms, they should seek medical advice from their GP immediately: · Steady growth · Uneven darkening in colour · Irregular change in outline, · A size of a quarter of an inch or more across.

Each of these is very important, but particularly if there are also any of the following: · Persistent itching · Constant bleeding or scabbing · A red surround

Boots is also partnering with MoleNet to offer mole screening services in selected stores across the UK this summer.

As well as helping make sure people regularly monitor their moles for signs of change, Boots is also urging Brits to wake up to the dangers of sun exposure. Despite the fact that a staggering 60% of British sunburn cases happen on home turf rather than overseas**, half the population still thinks that skin cancer is only a worry in the UK if people regularly use sunbeds.

Furthermore, one in ten claim that British sunlight is not strong enough in any case to cause skin cancer. According to Skin Cancer Research UK, however, 75,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed here every year, and midday British summer sunlight is certainly strong enough to contribute to the cause.

So if you have any mole you are concerned about, then please visit your local boots pharmacy and get checked out. After all, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Female First - Ruth Harrison