Skin Cancer Awareness Month – May 2026.

May this year has seen some hot and sunny spells which comes with increased temptation to spend more time outside. Sun safety is a hot topic and conveniently May marks skin cancer awareness month – an opportunity to familiarise yourself with common signs, symptoms and advice.

Skin cancer is on the rise in the UK and Cancer Research UK projects these numbers to significantly increase by 2040, with diagnosis of melanoma expected to reach 26,500.

The Melanoma Research Foundation launched an early detection initiative to raise awareness about melanoma and the importance of being proactive, instead of reactive, about your health. Catching melanoma early can save your life. The #GetNaked campaign encourages you to check your skin for new or changing spots, so you will know what your normal is.

Skin cancers can affect anyone, but higher rates are found in those who have unprotected sun exposure, use sunbeds or have long-term sun exposure.

What is skin cancer?

There are several types of skin cancer, mainly split into two categories of melanoma and non-melanoma. Melanoma are treated differently to non-melanoma. Non-melanoma skin cancers such as squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas are the most common types of skin cancer diagnosed in the UK.

Symptoms

Skin cancers can vary in shape, size, colour and texture. It is therefore important to note any existing moles or skin changes and surveillance them for any change. Taking pictures of existing moles can help monitor any change and notice should be given to any new moles that develop.

The following checklist can be used to check changes in a mole or area of concern;

A – Asymmetry. Uneven or irregular shape.
B – Border. Ordinary moles tend to have a clear smooth edged border.
C – Colour. Melanomas are commonly more than one colour or different shades.
D – Diameter. Melanomas are usually more than 6mm wide.
E - Evolving. Changes in the mole becoming wider, raised or dome shaped.

Diagnosis & Treatment

It is vital to have your GP check any suspicious changes in moles on your skin or new moles generally.

If it is considered that you might have skin cancer your GP will refer you to a dermatologist for further investigation. Suspected melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma would typically result in an urgent referral for a dermatology appointment within two weeks and a basal cell carcinoma would result in a less urgent referral of around 18 weeks.

Typically, a dermatologist will take a biopsy, which is a sample of the tissue, to be sent for further testing, the procedure is often completed as an outpatient. Once diagnosis is confirmed the typical treatment for any kind of skin cancer is surgery, and can also include other cancer treatments like chemotherapy, depending on the staging.

Safety Tips

It goes without saying that the single best safety tip is to protect yourself from the sun. Further precautionary measures are:

• Avoid use of tanning beds.
• Seek shade, especially between peak hours between 11am – 3 pm.
• Cover up with clothes like caps and sunglasses.
• Wear UV protection and sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and four or five stars.
• Regularly reapply sunscreen and generously, especially after water contact.
• Check your skin, know what is your normal.

Why do we care?

Often, in clinical negligence, we see misdiagnoses of skin cancer, or delays in diagnoses, which can be fatal, in adults and young people alike. By raising awareness, we can help to spread knowledge and drive change.

No one thinks it will happen to them or their loved ones, until it does. Unfortunately, we see many cases where people’s lives are affected by skin cancer which is why we want to increase understanding of such a widespread issue, especially as summer approaches.

If you feel that you or a loved one has suffered a misdiagnosis or a delay in diagnosis of skin cancer, please reach out to our Clinical Negligence Department who will be able to assist.