The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in a higher proportion of skin cancers being diagnosed late.
This was especially seen deprived areas, where in 2020-21, 88.7 per cent of the most deprived were diagnosed early, compared to 97.6 per cent in the previous year.
Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty's Annual Report 2021 ‘Health in Coastal Communities’ identified health inequalities and poor outcomes and survival in coastal communities.
In Kent and Medway, 25-28 per cent of the population is estimated to be living in coastal areas, with coastal prevalence of cancer 6.39 per cent, compared to a national prevalence of 2.61 per cent.
Improving sun safety and the early diagnosis of skin cancer
Up to 90 per cent of skin cancers are preventable by adopting simple sun-safe strategies and skin cancer is also one of the only cancers we can physically see developing in its early stages.
If detected, diagnosed and treated early enough, almost all cases of skin cancer are curable.
NHS Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance's #BeSkinSmart campaign was created to raise awareness of:
- the risks associated with UV exposure
- how to prevent skin cancer
- early signs and symptoms.
Visit Be Skin Smart on Have Your Say in Kent and Medway to find out more.
Postcards, posters and mole-tracking diaries
We have developed a range of materials including:
- posters
- postcards
- a debit-card size foldout information card, with a mole tracking diary, complete with handy ruler to measure your moles.
Roadshows
In Summer 2022 and 2023, our Be Skin Smart roadshow team hit the beach and outdoor events, with our giant deckchair, leaflets, wallet cards and a colouring competition for the children.
