Increase in skin cancer in over 50s
Skin cancer in the over 50s is at an all time high - new figures show.
For the first time in the UK, more than 10,000 people aged 55 and over were diagnosed with malignant melanoma – the most dangerous form of skin cancer - in a single year, according to the latest figures released by Cancer Research UK today. This compares with around 3,100 cases diagnosed in the UK 20 years ago.
The East Midlands has contributed to this landmark figure with around 630 people aged 55 and over diagnosed with malignant melanoma every year, while the total number diagnosed across all age groups in the region is 950.
Rates of melanoma in people aged 55 and over have more than doubled in the last 20 years. Rates for under 55s are also rising but at a much slower rate.