Elderly encouraged to seek advice from private medical cover doctor or GP at first sign of skin cancer

Over 65s have been encouraged to seek health advice, whether it be from a private medical cover provider or NHS GP, at the earliest signs of skin cancer.

New figures from the East of England Cancer Registry have revealed that for every year since 1997, significantly more people aged 65 and over have been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, at a late stage than those under 65.

The figures show that in recent years, around seven per cent of 15-64 year-olds were diagnosed with late stage malignant melanoma compared with around 20 per cent of people over 65.

This explains data from Cancer Research UK that reveals the mortality rate among pensioners dying from skin cancer has almost tripled in the last 30 years, while having stayed the same for younger patients.

Caroline Cerny, Cancer Research UK's SunSmart campaign manager, said: "While the risk of skin cancer increases with age, the fact that so many over 65s are being diagnosed when the disease is advanced means that older people need to keep a close eye on any changes to their skin or moles to avoid late diagnosis."

Around 2,000 people die from skin cancer in the UK each year.

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