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Date Published: 01/06/2023

Skin cancer cases grow worryingly high in Spain

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The experts believe more than 8,000 new tumours will be diagnosed in Spain this year

Skin cancer cases grow worryingly high in Spain

Melanoma is a very common type of skin cancer that can quickly spread to other parts of the body. Diagnosed cases have skyrocketed in the West in recent decades and in Spain, the Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) expects to diagnose a scary 8,000 new tumours this year. If this grim prediction comes to light, it would mean a 30% increase in melanomas since 2020.

One of the top reasons expats choose Spain is the weather, but the inescapable reality is that the main cause of skin cancer is exposure to the sun during the hottest hours of the day, without adequate protection.

Most melanomas arise from overexposure to the sun, meaning the damage caused by solar radiation is more than our body’s natural repair capacity can keep up with. As a result, the cells mutate, causing cancer. It’s very worthwhile noting that people who use sunbeds are at a far higher risk of developing skin cancer.

Now read: UV protection in Spain: Top 10 sunscreens according to consumer experts

Paradoxically though, the experts believe the hike in melanoma cases is also down to the fact that people are more cancer-aware these days and are quicker to consult a doctor if they notice anything unusual about their skin.

And this second point, according to the Spanish Multidisciplinary Melanoma Group (GEM), makes all the difference, since skin cancer is extremely treatable if caught early. However, if ignored or unnoticed until it reaches advanced stages, melanoma has a far worse prognosis.

The good news is that, while the incidence of skin cancer has increased, so has the five-year post-melanoma survival rate. Today, once it’s diagnosed early, around 90% of patients make a full recovery.

Ways to prevent skin cancer

The first and most obvious tip from the experts is to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, especially between 12pm and 4pm. The SEOM scientists also recommend a high SPF sun block, especially in the summer, although sunscreen should really be worn all year round.

People with fairer skin and children should be all the more careful and anyone with moles on their body should monitor them regularly for any changes in size or colour. Surprisingly though, only around 20% of melanomas arise from an existing mole, with most appearing on ‘normal’ skin.

The ABCDE rule of melanomas

Knowing how to examine your own body at home and tell the difference between a regular mole and one that could be more sinister is relatively simple. To carry out a self-check, follow the ABCDE rule and seek medical attention if you notice any of the following:

Asymmetry: refers to a mole that is not symmetrical or oval in shape.
Border: melanomas often have jagged or irregular edges, whereas non-cancerous moles usually have smooth and well-defined borders.
Colour: regular moles are normally all the one colour, but melanoma lesions can have several different hues.
Diameter: if the mole is more than 6mm in diameter (roughly the size of a pencil top), you should get it checked out.
Evolution: unlike most benign moles, melanomas will likely change shape, colour or size over time.

The medical director of oncology at MSD Spain concludes: “if you have any doubts about a possible lesion, it is important to see a specialist. Within just five minutes, we can change the prognosis of the disease.”

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