Why Checking Your Skin Could Save Your Life
Skin cancer is now one of the most common forms of cancer in the UK — and cases continue to rise every year. Yet, when caught early, skin cancers are highly treatable, with survival rates among the best of any cancer type. Despite this, many people still delay seeking help for changing moles or unusual skin marks, often assuming they are harmless or struggling to access a timely appointment.
That’s why healthcare professionals are encouraging people to get to know their skin — and to act quickly if something doesn’t look right.
The Rise of Skin Cancer in the UK
According to Cancer Research UK, around 16,700 people are diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer each year, and the number of cases has more than doubled since the early 1990s. Non-melanoma skin cancers are even more common, with over 150,000 new cases diagnosed annually.
While increased awareness and better detection partly explain the rise, experts point out that lifestyle factors — including more holidays abroad, tanning, and sunbed use — have also played a role.
Dr. Charlotte Proby, Professor of Dermatology at the University of Dundee, recently emphasised:
“Early detection remains our most powerful tool. When caught early, most skin cancers can be cured completely with minimal treatment.”
Know Your Skin: What to Look For
Everyone should check their skin regularly, ideally once a month. This includes areas that are harder to see — the back, scalp, or behind the ears — and asking a partner or friend to help can be invaluable.
The easiest way to remember what to look for is the ABCDE rule, used by dermatologists worldwide:
- A – Asymmetry: one half of the mole looks different to the other.
- B – Border: edges are irregular, blurred, or jagged.
- C – Colour: multiple colours, such as shades of brown, black, red, or white.
- D – Diameter: larger than 6mm (roughly the size of a pencil eraser).
- E – Evolving: any change in size, shape, or colour over time.
Other signs to be aware of include new moles appearing in adulthood, itching, bleeding, crusting, or a mole that looks distinctly different from the rest — known as the “ugly duckling” sign.
Why People Delay Getting Checked
Despite widespread awareness campaigns, many people still put off seeking advice. Common reasons include:
- Assuming a mole is harmless or “has always looked like that”
- Worrying about wasting a doctor’s time
- Difficulty accessing dermatology appointments
- Embarrassment or uncertainty about what’s normal
Unfortunately, these delays can allow a cancerous mole to grow deeper into the skin, where treatment becomes more invasive and outcomes less certain.
New Technology Bringing Expert Skin Checks Closer to Home
Modern technology is now helping make skin checks more accessible than ever. One example is the Map My Mole system, which enables trained healthcare professionals — such as pharmacists and nurses — to capture high-quality images of moles and send them securely to UK consultant dermatologists for analysis.
This kind of service is coming soon to Chippenham Pharmacy and Health Clinic, allowing local residents to have suspicious moles checked professionally without a long wait for a GP referral.
The process is quick and simple: during a short appointment, a trained team member takes a dermatoscopic image of the mole, which is then reviewed remotely by a consultant dermatologist. A detailed report is returned within 24–48 hours, advising whether the mole appears normal, requires monitoring, or needs referral to a specialist.
The Power of Early Detection
The survival rate for melanoma skin cancer when diagnosed early is over 90%. But that figure drops dramatically when the cancer spreads beyond the skin.
That’s why early action — even for a mole that turns out to be harmless — is so important.
Checking your skin regularly, wearing sunscreen, and seeking professional assessment for any changes are simple habits that can make a life-changing difference.
Healthcare professionals recommend using photos to track moles over time, especially if you have many or have fair skin that burns easily. Apps, digital tools, and pharmacy-based screening services can all play a part in spotting subtle changes that might otherwise go unnoticed.
How to Protect Your Skin
In addition to regular checks, you can reduce your risk of developing skin cancer by:
- Using a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen daily, even in cloudy weather
- Reapplying sunscreen every two hours when outdoors or after swimming
- Wearing a hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing
- Avoiding sunbeds and excessive tanning
- Being particularly careful with children’s skin, which is more sensitive to UV damage
Putting Skin Health on the Local Agenda
Community-based health services like those coming to Chippenham Pharmacy and Health Clinic are helping bridge the gap between patients and specialists. They make preventative care more accessible, convenient, and less intimidating — a key step in tackling one of the fastest-rising cancers in the country.
If You’re Concerned About a Mole
If you notice a mole that’s changed or new and unusual, don’t ignore it. Speak to your pharmacist, GP, or book a mole-check appointment locally.