Elderly 'miss skin cancer signs'

30 November 2010 Last updated at 10:42 ET

Older people are less likely to get skin changes checked by a doctor, leading to a steep rise in cancer deaths, say researchers.

The East of England Cancer Registry reports that deaths from melanoma among the over 65s have tripled in the past 30 years.

The elderly are more likely to be diagnosed when the cancer has spread.

Cancer Research UK says pensioners should keep a close eye on moles and report suspicious changes to GPs.

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, and is linked to cumulative sun exposure over a lifetime.

This means that the over-65s are more likely to develop the disease in the first place.

Overlooked

However, unlike younger people, the registry data reveals that the classic signs of a cancerous mole are being overlooked among a host of other changes to older skin.

This means that by the time the mole cannot be ignored, the cancer is likely to be at a more advanced stage, making it far harder to treat.

Dr Jem Rashbass, the director of the East of England Cancer Registry, which collates data on cancer to identify trends among the population, said: "Although there have been some improvements in the number of over 65s being diagnosed with melanoma at a late stage, the figures suggest that more needs to be done to raise awareness about skin cancer among this generally retired population."

Continue reading the main story

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Melanoma is a largely preventable disease. Summer may be over, but the damage to skin cells shown by sunburn can remain long after the redness fades"

End Quote Sara Hiom Cancer Research UK

The registry data revealed that, for every year since 1997, significantly more elderly people have been diagnosed with late-stage melanoma compared with under-65s.

While the death rate among older people rose from four deaths per 100,000 people in 1979 to 11.4 per 100,000 in 2008, the death rate for people aged between 15 and 64 has remained stable.

Sara Hiom, from Cancer Research UK, said: "Melanoma is a largely preventable disease. Summer may be over, but the damage to skin cells shown by sunburn can remain long after the redness fades."

Her colleague Caroline Cerny, from the charity's "Sunsmart" campaign, highlighted the classic warning signs of melanoma.

She said: "If a mole is as big as a pencil-top eraser, bleeds, is sore or itchy, uneven in colour or has jagged edges, then people should visit their GP without delay."

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Councils get public health role

30 November 2010 Last updated at 03:55 ET By Nick Triggle Health reporter, BBC News <!-- Embedding the video player --> <!-- This is the embedded player component -->

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Andrew Lansley: "If you want to impact positively on people's health you have to look beyond the health service"

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Councils are to be put in charge of encouraging healthier lifestyles under plans to be unveiled by ministers.

Local public health directors will be moved out of the NHS and into local government as part of the shake-up.

The government believes the wider remit of councils in areas such as housing, transport and leisure puts them in a stronger position to tackle smoking, drinking and obesity in England.

A ringfenced pot of NHS money will also be set aside to help.

The protection of the public health budget - the first time this has been done since the 1800s - is considered essential because of the cuts councils are facing following October's Spending Review.

To support local government, the Department of Health's public health white paper will also propose creating a new public health service that will provide advice and support on issues such as health protection, nutrition and treatment.

'Real impact'

A health inclusion unit will be set up as well to oversee the drive to reduce health inequalities, which have widened over the past decade.

Extra money - dubbed health premiums - will be given to the poorest areas to help tackle some of the most entrenched problems.

But details on how the government aims to tackle individual problems, such as obesity, smoking and drinking, will not be spelt out until the new year.

Both the Association of Directors of Public Health and Local Government Association have welcomed the impending changes.

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Councils have the potential to make a real difference, but it important public health directors are given the power to influence what is happening"

End Quote Angela Mawle UK Public Health Association

And Health Secretary Andrew Lansley told the BBC the new system would have a "real impact on improving health".

He said: "Health is not just about the quality of healthcare. It's probably at least as much about the quality of people's lives - the environment, the housing, their education and employment."

He said the strategy was intended to improve the health of the nation and reduce health inequalities.

He told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "We have got to arrive at a point where politicians stop just telling people how to be healthy but actually help them to do it, which is about positive steps on supporting people on things like physical activity as well as necessary interventions."

The public health White Paper will say the key to encouraging healthier behaviour lies in creating the right environment and then "nudging" people into making different choices.

Examples of this include schemes such as incentivising children to walk to school and providing more support through nurses and health visitors to encourage new mothers to breastfeed.

Employers will also be told they have an important role in helping and supporting staff as well.

Mr Lansley has in the past been critical of what he has said has been the lecturing tone of previous public health drives.

He has also been keen to stress that the solutions do not necessarily require greater regulation.

In fact, the White Paper is expected to make reference to a "responsibility deal" that could be launched in the new year which will see industry sign up to schemes to encourage healthier behaviour.

Angela Mawle, of the UK Public Health Association, which has members in both local government and the NHS, said: "Councils have the potential to make a real difference, but it important public health directors are given the power to influence what is happening.

"I also don't think we should turn our back entirely on regulation. It still has a place."

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