New research from the Marie Keating Foundation shows one in five men in Ireland cannot identify any of the visual signs of skin cancer

Dublin, 5 May 2015: Half of Irish people would not monitor their moles for changes in colour, size or elevation, all crucial signs of melanoma, new research from the Marie Keating Foundation has shown. The research, announced at the launch of the cancer foundation’s Spot the Difference campaign, also shows that one in five men in Ireland cannot identify any of the visual signs of skin cancer.  Though women in Ireland are more likely to develop melanoma, men are more likely to die from the cancer.  To help people learn how to spot the difference between normal moles and potentially cancerous ones, the Marie Keating Foundation has launched its Spot the Difference campaign which includes an infographic, a website featuring images of cancerous moles and an online video featuring people affected by melanoma. The Marie Keating Foundation is also hosting a free seminar for the general public on skin cancer on Thursday, 21 May at 6pm in the Davenport Hotel, Dublin 2. For more information, see www.spotthedifference.ie.  The Spot the Difference campaign is proudly supported by MSD.

Melanoma is one of the ten most common cancers in Ireland and the rates of diagnosis are increasing each year for both men and women. Many Irish people have the risk factors for melanoma which include fair skin; the tendency to burn and having lots of freckles or moles.  Exposure to sunlight, especially through short, sharp bursts such as during a sun holiday, also increases the risk, as does the use of sunbeds. Melanoma can affect any age group.

Speaking at the launch of the Spot the Difference campaign, Dr Patrick Ormond, Consultant Dermatologist, St James’ Hospital, said, “Being SunSmart is one of the best ways to protect yourself against melanoma and other types of skin cancer. It is also vital that you get to know your skin and examine it head-to-toe once a month, so that if a freckle or mole starts to change, you can catch it early. Spotting the difference between a normal mole or freckle and a potentially cancerous one is easier if you look for the ABCDE signs, and if you see any, see your GP straight away.”

The ABCDE signs of melanoma are:

Asymmetry- If you draw a line through a melanoma, the two sides will not match

Border- The border of an early melanoma tends to be uneven. The edges may be scalloped or notched.

Colour-Most healthy moles are all one colour. A mole with a number of different shades of brown, black or tan is a warning sign. Melanomas may also be blue, red or some other colour.

Diameter- Melanomas are usually larger in size than the rubber at the top of a pencil (¼ inch or 6mm).

Evolving-Any change in shape, colour, size, elevation (height), or any other trait, or a new symptom like bleeding, itching or crusting is a warning sign.

Also speaking at the launch of the Spot the Difference campaign was Siobhan McCarthy, a 24 year old melanoma survivor. She said, “I discovered my melanoma when I was 20 years old but at first, I didn’t think it was anything to worry about and did nothing about it. It was only because my mum encouraged me to go to the GP that I was diagnosed at an early stage and luckily the cancer hadn’t spread. You can help catch melanoma by checking your skin regularly and if you notice any changes, don’t wait to act on them. Go to your doctor straight away.”

Helen Forristal, Director of Nursing Services, Marie Keating Foundation, said, “Many people may not know how dangerous melanoma is but, if left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body and be fatal. Early detection is key to survival. It can appear as a new or existing spot, freckle or mole that changes in colour, shape or size. They are most frequent on the upper back on men and on the lower legs in women but they can grow anywhere. Ask a family member or friend to help you check your skin and learn how to spot the difference. It could save your life. ”

To register for the Marie Keating Foundation’s free seminar on skin cancer on Thursday, 21 May at 6pm in the Alexander Hotel, Dublin 2, email info@mariekeating.ie. For more information on melanoma and how to Spot the Difference, see www.spotthedifference.ie.  The Spot the Difference campaign is proudly supported by MSD.