Madam, – That there has been an increase of 92 per cent in skin cancer cases across all age groups between 1998 and 2008 (HEALTHplus, May 11th) does not surprise me. I wish to applaud the fantastic work of the Irish Cancer Society in raising awareness of what has to be one of the most preventable types of cancer.
My mother was one of the 195 people who died from melanoma cancer in 2008, and having celebrated the second anniversary of her death this week, I would like to draw further attention to the merit of this awareness campaign.
When my mother was diagnosed with malignant melanoma she remembered the exact day she got the severe burn on the bridge of her left foot – on her first sun holiday, in her mid-20s. She lived a full, fit and healthy life until five years ago when a tumour was found in the same leg. She passed away just a few months before her 60th birthday.
As a 28-year-old with a typical fair-skinned Irish complexion, I gave up trying to tan many years ago, but for obvious reasons have become increasingly aware of sun care and the dangers associated with sun damage.
A shift in Irish attitudes and full support of Sunsmart campaigns are desperately needed to ensure the number of deaths from this type of cancer declines. – Yours, etc,