Diligently applying a moisturiser with SPF30 every day to her face for years, it never occurred to Helen Templeton that she wasn’t properly protected against the sun’s harmful rays — and skin cancer.
‘I thought I was doing the right thing and that choosing a moisturiser that contained high sun protection would be best for my skin,’ says Helen, 49, a college lecturer who lives in Dumfries and Galloway with her husband, Brian, 53, son, 17, and daughter, 16.
So when Helen developed an ‘annoying’ cold sore on her lip in September 2020, she thought nothing of it and applied a cream, assuming it would clear up. But it didn’t.
Early detection was certainly key for Susan Jackson, who consulted her GP in August 2018 when an apparent ‘pimple’ on the side of her nose didn’t clear up after four weeks
After five months, at a GP appointment to discuss other health problems, she thought to mention the ‘cold sore’.
To her surprise, the GP immediately referred her to a dermatologist who subsequently diagnosed basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer.
‘At first I didn’t think it sounded too bad,’ she admits. But after two rounds of treatment — applying chemotherapy cream followed by cryotherapy (freezing) — her face blistered badly.
‘My lips split when I talked or ate,’ recalls Helen. ‘I was worried at one point that I might need surgery to cut off part of my lips if this didn’t work.’
Thankfully, the treatment was successful, but experts, including the British Association of Dermatologists, warn that Helen’s experience is far from unique and people should not rely on moisturiser or cosmetics alone for sun protection.
‘Around 80 to 85 per cent of the women I see assume their moisturiser or make-up will protect them — they don’t realise it’s not enough,’ says Dr Penelope Pratsou, a consultant dermatologist based in Berkshire.
These warnings come as shocking NHS figures, published last week, show that the number of people in England diagnosed with all types of skin cancer leapt by 26 per cent in six years to a record 224,092 cases in 2019, up from 177,677 in 2013.
Dr Tanya Bleiker, president of the British Association of Dermatologists, said: ‘We are fast approaching a quarter of a million skin cancer cases a year in England. To put this in context, we estimate that one in five people will have a skin cancer in their lifetime.’
There are several types of skin cancer — the deadliest is melanoma, which is relatively rare but can rapidly spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma is responsible for seven deaths a day in the UK and is one of the biggest cancer killers of those aged 15 to 34.
Melanoma develops when DNA damage to skin cells, for instance as a result of exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays, triggers mutations, causing cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumours.
These originate in the melanocytes — pigment-producing cells in the innermost layer of the skin — and can rapidly spread if not caught early. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy, where drugs are used to help the immune system fight the cancer.
Susan says that she had always been very careful about applying SPF30 sunscreen to her face. ‘But sunscreens often warn you not to get it in your eyes so I used to avoid the area just around my eyes,’ she says. ‘The cancer developed on the side of my nose, near where my glasses touch the skin, so maybe these also rubbed it off a bit too and I just didn’t realise
Non-melanoma skin cancers, which include squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas (the type Helen had), are now the UK’s most common cancer ‘with more cases than breast, prostate and lung cancers combined’, says Professor Nick Levell, a consultant dermatologist at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
Squamous cell cancers often look like a scaly lump, while basal cell carcinomas can vary in appearance, from an open sore, to a pinkish bump, a red patch or even a scar-like patch on the skin.
Squamous cell carcinomas can also spread to other parts of the body, while slower-growing basal cells do so rarely. Treatments include surgery and radiotherapy.
Most cases of skin cancer are due to over-exposure to the sun. But why are cases rising so consistently and dramatically?
This is partly down to an ageing population — with people seeing the effects of a lifetime’s exposure to the sun as they get older — coupled with decades of cheap flights making regular trips to hotter climes a lifestyle choice for many.
Prompt diagnosis, thanks to better awareness, also contributes.Yet, although we are undoubtedly better informed about the dangers of the UV rays than we used to be in the sun-worshipping 1970s and 1980s, there’s still a worrying lack of awareness about how to protect ourselves against the damage that can cause cancer, says Dr Charles Archer, a consultant dermatologist at Oxford University Hospital.
Increasingly, too, this includes a reliance on moisturisers and make-up containing SPF to provide protection, he says.
‘SPF tells you how much protection you get against the sun’s UVB rays, the type that cause you to burn,’ explains Dr Archer. ‘But unless the product states it, there won’t be protection against UVA rays, which penetrate deeper, cause premature skin ageing and skin cancer. Even then, a product may state it offers UVA protection, without telling you how much.’
While protection offered against UVB rays has been standardised into SPF ratings — a measure of how much longer your skin can stay in the sun without burning —there is no commonly agreed measure of UVA protection. In addition, the way that UVA protection is described on product labels varies: Boots, for instance, has a five-star rating for UVA protection for its own-brand sunscreens, with five as the highest protection. While some companies have also adopted this, most have not.
Squamous cell cancers often look like a scaly lump, while basal cell carcinomas can vary in appearance, from an open sore, to a pinkish bump, a red patch or even a scar-like patch on the skin
Other manufacturers use what’s called the PA+ rating system for UVA — which grades protection ranging from + to ++++, which is the highest protection.
Experts agree that products labelled as broad spectrum — protecting against both UVB and UVA rays — are best.
‘All in all it is quite a confused picture and there isn’t the same focus on informing about UVA protection as there is against UVB protection,’ says Dr Archer.
But while a lack of UVA protection is a factor, another problem is people don’t apply enough product.
In 2018, a study from Liverpool University found moisturisers with added SPF provided less protection than same-strength sunscreen in real-world scenarios as people were more likely to miss areas of their face when applying them.
They also did not apply the moisturiser as thickly as a sunscreen so did not obtain the full benefits of the stated SPF.
The researchers said that while UV protection in moisturisers was ‘better than no protection at all’, people should not rely on it for extended periods in the sun.
Matthew Gass, a spokesman for the British Association of Dermatologists, said: ‘Unfortunately, moisturiser with SPF doesn’t perform particularly well in real-world situations compared to sunscreen.
‘Although it may say SPF30 on the box, this study is further evidence that lab testing conditions for these products don’t reflect how they are used.’
This is as true of standard sunscreen as it is of moisturiser, says Dr Archer, because most people are unaware of the quantities needed for adequate protection.
These warnings come as shocking NHS figures, published last week, show that the number of people in England diagnosed with all types of skin cancer leapt by 26 per cent in six years to a record 224,092 cases in 2019, up from 177,677 in 2013
‘SPF ratings are based on lab trials in which people are quite densely covered in sunscreen (2mg per cm squared), which equates to a golf ball-sized amount to cover your body,’ explains Dr Archer.
For your face you need around half a teaspoon or more. But most people don’t apply sunscreen — let alone moisturiser or make-up — in these quantities.
‘A trial in 2012 showed many people only apply around 25 per cent of the necessary density of sunscreen needed,’ says Dr Archer. ‘So if you are applying a suncream with an SPF50, this quickly reduces to the effectiveness of an SPF14 if you’re not putting enough on.’
In addition, he says, sunscreens are often also waterproof and stay on the skin for longer, while moisturisers are designed to be absorbed.
Helen certainly wishes she’d known this as a younger woman. Admitting that she also used to avoid sunscreen as a teenager for fear it would make her acne worse, she is now assiduous about applying SPF50, separate to her moisturiser and make-up — and avoiding the sun, too.
‘But I am angry that neither my moisturiser nor my make-up had any information about how much I ought to apply to get proper protection or warned that I might need to reapply or also need a sunscreen,’ says Helen, who believes all products with SPF claims should carry instructions about how much to apply to get the protection stated.
Dr Pratsou adds: ‘Most women I see with acne avoid sunblock as it causes them to break out — but they’re putting themselves at a much higher risk of sun damage and skin cancer.’
Many men, particularly those over 45, ‘don’t like wearing sunscreen on their faces partly because they think it’s greasy but also because they often weren’t brought up to realise the importance of looking after their skin’, she adds.
Sunbed use is another problem, say skin cancer campaigners. Research shows it’s associated with a significant increase in the risk of developing melanoma because the intense UV exposure can rapidly damage skin.
But underlying all of this is a disturbing complacency towards skin cancer — in particular, non-melanoma skin cancers. ‘There is a tendency among people in this country not to take skin cancer seriously,’ says Marie Tudor, CEO of the skin cancer awareness charity Skcin.
‘I’ve heard people say: “I’ll just get it cut off”, as if they’re removing a mole they don’t like.
‘But it’s not as straightforward as that. While it’s true that often only malignant melanomas metastasise [spread to other organs and tissues] and can prove fatal, some non-melanoma cancers also spread and are life-threatening,’ she adds.
‘And because these cancers are often on the face — the area that gets the most sun over a lifetime — treating them can be traumatic for the patient.’
Non-melanoma skin cancers can also be fatal — in 2020, 794 people died from this type.
‘Also, these skin cancers can double in size every five months,’ says Professor Levell. ‘This means scars after surgery can be large, as has been the case for people whose treatment was delayed during the pandemic.’
‘Non-melanoma cancers can sometimes require complex surgery, depending on their location,’ adds Dr Archer. ‘This is particularly true if they are situated in delicate areas such as the eyelids, lips or ear canal.
How much sunscreen do you need?
As a general rule, the British Association of Dermatologists says you need at least six teaspoons of suncream to cover the body. Justine Hextall, a consultant dermatologist at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust, recommends . . .
For your face
Whether a standard suncream or a facial moisturiser with SPF, you need:
Forehead: 1 x 10p-sized blob.
Nose: 1 x 5p-sized blob.
Rest of your face and neck (front and back): At least a 10p blob for each side — and don’t forget your ears (the tops, the lobes and also inside the rim of the ear).
Hairline & scalp: If you’re not going to wear a hat, use a 5p blob. If you’re losing your hair, use a 50p blob.
For your body
Back: 2 x 50p-sized blobs.
Shoulders: 2 x 10p-sized blobs.
Chest: 1 x 50p-sized blob.
Arms & legs: 1 x 10p-sized blob on each upper and lower arm, the same for each leg (don’t forget feet) — i.e. eight 10p blobs in total.
Stomach: 1 x 10p blob.
‘I recently operated on a squamous cell carcinoma which required me to remove a third of the lower lip of a man in his 70s. Fortunately, he will still be able to talk and eat, but others are not so lucky if the cancer has progressed.’
Early detection was certainly key for Susan Jackson, who consulted her GP in August 2018 when an apparent ‘pimple’ on the side of her nose didn’t clear up after four weeks.
She was shocked by the diagnosis — and the extent of the surgery needed.
‘I’ve been in the beauty industry for 40 years and I’m used to scrutinising people’s skin, but even to me this little mark looked like a whitehead on the bridge of my nose,’ says Susan, who is in her 60s and lives in Lancashire.
She was immediately referred to a dermatology unit, where a biopsy revealed she had a squamous cell carcinoma. It was removed surgically the following week, followed by a skin graft.
Although her cancer was caught very early, she was nonetheless horrified by the size of the post-operative jagged hook-shaped scar down the centre of her face and to the side of her nose.
‘I looked like I had been in a serious fight after the operation,’ she recalls.
Susan says that she had always been very careful about applying SPF30 sunscreen to her face.
‘But sunscreens often warn you not to get it in your eyes so I used to avoid the area just around my eyes,’ she says. ‘The cancer developed on the side of my nose, near where my glasses touch the skin, so maybe these also rubbed it off a bit too and I just didn’t realise.’
If Susan was one of the lucky ones, many others face delays.
‘The strain on the NHS of treating these preventable skin cancers is substantial — and it’s continually growing, particularly as hospitals struggle to deal with a backlog of cases and diagnoses created by the pandemic,’ says Dr Archer.
The ‘frustrating thing’ is that nearly 90 per cent of skin cancer cases are preventable, and early detection can save lives, says Marie Tudor.
‘That’s why Skcin works to raise awareness, and via our Melanoma and Skin Cancer Early Detection (MASCED) training programme; we have trained more than 10,000 beauty professionals to recognise skin cancer in their clients.’
Fortunately, Susan’s scars healed well and are barely detectable. She has since completed the MASCED course and has helped to identify a dozen basal cell carcinoma in her clients.
‘I was fortunate — but others may not be so lucky,’ she says. ‘And you can so easily prevent skin cancer developing by taking simple measures to protect your skin from the sun.’
Under the microscope
Former Test cricketer, Monty Panesar, 40, answers our health quiz
Former Test cricketer, Monty Panesar, 40, answers our health quiz
Can you run up the stairs?
Yes, I go to the gym three to four times a week. I do barbell exercises (a type of weightlifting) and machine weights. I also still play cricket as often as I can, for Twickenham Cricket Club. It’s very competitive!
Get your five a day?
I am vegetarian and eat loads of vegetables and pulses — the kind of Indian food I grew up with. I learned so much about cooking when I took part in Celebrity MasterChef in 2018. I didn’t win, but I surprised myself.
Ever dieted?
No, diets are not my thing. I am 6 ft 1 in and weigh about 14 st 9 lb.
How has the pandemic affected you?
During the second lockdown I began a journalism course and had the whole year off studying. I have just graduated. I am now looking forward to the next phase of my career — writing and broadcasting.
Any vices?
I did drink a bit too much at a low point in my life, around ten years ago, but now my confidence is back and I focus on keeping healthy.
Any family ailments?
Thankfully, my parents and younger brother and sister are all very fit. My mum cooks wonderful food: I’m sure that’s what keeps them healthy.
Worst illness or injury?
I broke my ankle badly in 2017 during my first week rehearsing for Dancing On Ice. It took almost 18 months to get back to full mobility. It was horrible and sad not to be able to join the show.
Pop any pills?
I take fish oil tablets, glucosamine, vitamin C, and magnesium for general health and muscle recovery.
Ever have plastic surgery?
I don’t think so, but maybe once the wrinkles start I might have to.
Cope well with pain?
Very well. I think sports people are addicted to pain. We push exercise until it hurts; we chase the burn.
Tried alternative remedies?
When I injured my shoulder playing cricket a few years ago and suffered a tear, I had acupuncture and cupping, where a cup is used to create suction on the skin, increasing circulation and promoting cell repair. They did help.
Ever been depressed?
During difficult times in the past I have been, and took antidepressants. Then I decided to avoid them because they dull your whole personality. Rediscovering my Sikh faith has helped me to keep a balanced perspective.
What keeps you awake?
I can stay awake if I have a busy day ahead and I haven’t organised myself.
Any phobias?
People who aren’t open and truthful.
Like to live for ever?
Yes, but only if I could be king!
Monty in Pilgrimage: The Road To The Scottish Isles is available on BBC iPlayer.
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