Turns out, we're not savvy as we'd like to think we it comes to sun. While 88% of us say we're aware of the sun's adverse effects on our skin, only a measly one in four of us actually check our skin for any changes or developments. Plus, only 12% of us in the UK, despite claiming we know the damage it could cause, bother to protect ourselves from the sun year-round. These figures come from La Roche Posay, who have launched a #SkinChecker campaign to encourage us to be more aware of moles.
But, it's not necessary our own skin they want us to be aware of. Even with melanoma on the rise, a fraction of the people surveyed would bother to go a doctor if they saw a mole they had change, but more of us would encourage our loved ones to seek medical help if they presented any signs of melanoma. So, La Roche Posay are asking us to do just that - keep an eye on the skin of our friends, partners and families, and if something on their skin looks unusual, to push them in the direction of a doctor.
After all, as Professor Giuseppe Aregnziano, MD and President of the International Dermoscopy Society says, “Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, however if recognised and treated early, it is always curable. It is all the more important therefore to check oneself regularly for any signs of changing or growing moles as well as for the appearance of any new marks on the skin. The fight against skin cancer starts at home and the more people take a look at their skin and the skin of their loved ones, the more people will consult a dermatologist and the more we will be able to make a difference early on.” In short - catch it early, beat it. Oh, and the cute puppies in the campaign don't hurt...