Skin cancer (malignant melanoma) is the fifth most common cancer in the UK. With diagnosis rates rising faster than any of the current top 10 cancers in the UK, men, particularly those who work outdoors like builders and construction workers are at even greater risk of developing the disease.
That’s why this Sun Awareness Week (4-10 May, 2015) Macmillan Cancer Support is joining forces with Jewson to raise awareness of skin cancer among men across the UK.
From Monday 4 May until Sunday 10 May, Jewson will be providing skin cancer and sun awareness information in-branch and signposting customers to local Macmillan support services.
Men are a particularly hard to reach audience for Macmillan due to the fact that they are less aware (and therefore are less likely to report) signs and symptoms of cancer than women – despite being 60% more likely than women to get cancer.
Jewson employees in branches are supporting Sun Awareness Week in the hope that their week long awareness campaign will help Macmillan inform and educate more men about the importance of early detection and diagnosis of skin cancer.
Macmillan skin cancer clinical nurse specialist, Carol Goodman, said: “Skin cancer is often overlooked in comparison to other cancers, but the numbers of people being diagnosed have risen fivefold since the 1970s. We need to encourage more men to be aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer, so we’re particularly thrilled to have the support from Jewson to help us reach a particularly hard to reach group about this important issue."
Peter Stringer, managing director at Jewson, added: “It is shocking that the number of people diagnosed with skin cancer is on the rise. Through working with Macmillan to raise awareness in our branches this Sun Awareness Week, we hope to be able to educate our male customers and colleagues to take control of their health and seek medical help sooner.”
