Mole and lesion checks at hospital drop-in event

A hospital is giving visitors the chance to get any moles or skin lesions checked at a drop-in event organised to raise awareness of sun exposure and the damaging effects it can have on skin, including cancer.

The stall will be at Greggs at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton on Tuesday, from 10:00 BST to 14:00 BST.

It will be run by members of the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust's dermatology team

Visitors will be able to access a range of free samples promoting healthy skin care and have the chance to talk to specialist nurses about the importance of skin cancer prevention and detection.

Last year, Cancer Research UK said melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK rose by almost a third between 2009 and 2019.

The charity report suggested around 17,000 melanoma cases every year were preventable - with almost nine in 10 caused by too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Andrea Smith, clinical nurse specialist at the Wolverhampton NHS trust, said: "Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, but most cases are preventable by taking proper precautions in the sun.

"It's really important that everyone knows how to best protect and look after their skin to help prevent skin cancer forming, and know how to check their skin properly to help spot any issues as quickly as possible.

"These events are a fantastic way for us to raise awareness of skin cancer but also foster a culture of proactive skin health, hopefully allowing us to detect cancer when it's easier to treat or avoid it altogether."

The team shared the following tips to help prevent sun damage:

• Avoid tanning beds: tanning beds emit harmful UV radiation and increase the risk of skin cancer
• Use sun protection: always wear sunscreen with a high SPF, and reapply every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating
• Seek shade: avoid prolonged sun exposure, especially during peak hours between 10:00 BST and 16:00 BST and avoid burning.
• Protective clothing: cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses to shield your skin from harmful UV rays.
• Check your skin for changes regularly and report any skin changes to your GP or nurse promptly

People who would like a free mole check, leaflets, advice or a chat in confidence are encouraged to attend the event next week.

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