A Sunderland mum who was diagnosed with skin cancer and credits her daughter for saving her life, is urging people to enjoy the sun safely this summer.
As the sunny weather continues Kelly Laws, 36, is joining forces with Cancer Research UK and NIVEA SUN to share advice and tips on how people can protect their skin from the sun.
Latest analysis by Cancer Research UK reveals melanoma skin cancer rates have increased by almost a third over the past decade with a projected record high of 20,800 cases this year in the UK.
Researchers found that around 17,000 UK melanoma cases every year are preventable, with almost 9 in 10 caused by too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and sunbeds.
Kelly, a health care assistant, believes she owes her life to daughter Elouise, who in 2019 at just six years old spotted a mole on the left side of her body that had doubled in size.
“I was doing my makeup without a top on when Elouise said “oh that looks different”. She was talking about a mole on the left side. It had first appeared five years earlier in 2014 and I’d got it checked at the time, but it was all ok. This time however I wouldn’t be so fortunate.”
Kelly
After spotting the mole, Elouise encouraged her mum to see a GP to get it checked, which she did. She was then referred to the Dermatology unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital, where she had a biopsy.
“Photos were taken of the mole and it was looked at under a microscope and it was decided it should be removed that day. A few days later I phoned for the results, but was told I had been booked to see a specialist. My heart sank. At that moment I knew it wasn’t going to be good and I was hysterical.”
Kelly
At the appointment Kelly was told that she had stage 1 malignant melanoma, a type of skin cancer, but it had been caught very early.
“The cancer was caught at its earliest stage and I was told that my daughter quite possibly could have saved my life. I am beyond grateful to Elouise for her actions that day. The mole was in a place I wouldn’t see and under clothes so other people wouldn’t have seen it either. Who knows what would have happened if she hadn’t spotted the mole.”
Kelly
Kelly had a second biopsy which confirmed all the cancer cells had been removed and there had been no spread.
With around 930 people in the North East currently diagnosed with melanoma – the most serious form of skin cancer – every year, Kelly is passionate about raising vital awareness.
“It’s so important to look out for physical changes and to get them checked. Because of my cancer diagnosis I need to be extra careful with sun safety, so I was told to wear sunscreen all year round, not just in the summer, and to be extremely careful in the sun.
Kelly
“Just 12 months after my diagnosis I was getting another mole checked out, when I thought to mention a mole that had been itchy on my back. It turned out that was melanoma too and I had to have that removed. I’ve been told to be particularly cautious, as despite not having a lot of moles on my body they appear abnormal and not like typical melanomas.”
Anyone can get sunburnt or develop skin cancer, but those at higher risk include people with lighter skin tones and naturally light-coloured hair or eyes, as well as people with lots of moles and freckles, or a family history of skin cancer.
And when it comes to signs and symptoms of the disease, it’s not just changes to a mole or freckle that matter, it could be a sore that doesn’t heal, a lump, an ulcer, or a patch of skin that’s changed colour. Any unusual changes to an area of people’s skin should be seen by a doctor.
Elouise, who is now 12, continues to help Kelly stay safe in the sun and is keen to protect her own skin by wearing a high factor sunscreen and staying in the shade.
“Being diagnosed with melanoma was a huge shock. People can be so blasé about skin cancer, but it needs to change. I hope I can encourage people to think about their sun habits and take precautions. I always encourage people to see their GP if they notice any unusual changes and I have even had a cousin and a neighbour who found cancerous moles after hearing my story. Spotting cancer early can make all the difference and so many skin cancer cases could be prevented by being safe in the sun and using a combination of shade, clothing and sunscreen to avoid burning.”
Kelly
Cancer Research UK and NIVEA SUN recommend the following when the sun is strong:
1. Seek Shade – Especially between 11am and 3pm in the UK. Take a break under trees, umbrellas, and canopies, or go indoors.
2. Cover Up – With clothes that cover your shoulders, a wide-brimmed hat and UV protection sunglasses. The more skin that’s covered by your clothing, the better the protection.
3. Apply Sunscreen Regularly – With at least SPF 30 and 4 or 5 stars. Make sure to reapply it regularly and generously, especially after swimming, sweating, or towelling.
“Given the changeable British weather, it’s natural to want to make the most of warmer days when they arrive but I’m urging people in Sunderland and beyond to be prepared and take care. Now I always try and spend some time out of the sun, wear a hat and sunglasses, make sure my shoulders are covered and that I’ve got my sunscreen with me.”
Kelly
“Getting sunburnt just once every two years can triple the risk of developing skin cancer, compared to never being burnt. So, we’re grateful to Kelly for lending her voice to our campaign with NIVEA SUN.
Cancer Research UK Health Information Manager, Beth Vincent
“Even on a cloudy day, the sun can be strong enough in Sunderland – and across the UK – to burn between mid-March and mid-October. Avoid getting caught out by checking the UV index on the weather forecast or online. If it’s 3 (moderate) or above, it’s time to think about sun safety.
“Whatever your skin tone, whether you’re abroad, having a staycation or just out-and-about, remember the three-step method to enjoy warm weather safely: seek shade, cover up and apply sunscreen regularly.”
For more skin cancer information and sun safety tips visit cruk.org/sunsafety
BOX OUT: SUN SAFETY MYTHS
Not only are UK melanoma cases on the rise, in the North East around 90 people in the region die from the disease each year.
That’s why sorting fact from fiction is so important when it comes to sun safety.
Ceri Eames, a Cancer Research UK Cancer Awareness Nurse, works in communities to help people reduce their risk of the disease.
“There’s a lot of misinformation out there, but one thing we do know is that damage to our skin from the sun is the number one cause of melanoma. It’s the UK’s fifth most common cancer.
Ceri
“That might sound scary, but the majority of melanoma cases could be prevented by being safe in the sun.”
As part of Cancer Research UK’s partnership with NIVEA SUN, Ceri is helping to debunk some common myths. Here’s her advice:
Myth one – I need to get as much sun as possible to get enough vitamin D
“A bit of sun can help our bodies to make vitamin D which is important for things like healthy bones. People with lighter skin tones only need brief sun exposure, while people with darker skin tones may need more time for the body to make enough vitamin D. But whatever your skin tone, there’s no need to sunbathe or risk sunburn in order to get vitamin D. Once your body has made enough, it’ll start to break down any extra, so spending even longer in the sun won’t help. Plus, you can get vitamin D from your diet or supplements. It’s a good idea to speak to your GP if you’re concerned about your vitamin D levels.”
Myth two – The SPF in my makeup is enough
“Even if your makeup label claims to offer sun protection, you’d need to apply several times the normal amount of foundation or face cream to get anywhere close to the level of protection stated on the bottle. You’re also highly unlikely to reapply makeup regularly throughout the day, as is required to keep protected.”
Myth three – Aftersun products repair the damage done by sunburn
“While aftersun products may soothe the unpleasant symptoms of sunburn, they won’t fix any damage done to the DNA inside your cells that could lead to skin cancer. If you start to notice signs of burning, seek shade and cover up immediately. Don’t spend more time in the sun that day – even with sunscreen.”
Visit cruk.org/sunsafety to find out more.
