Melanoma UK and LifeJacket Skin Protection are working together to bring much needed attention to the increase in numbers of men with melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.

Men are almost twice as likely to die of skin cancer than women. The World Health Organisation forecasts that the incidence of male skin cancer will almost double over the next 20 years. This is a scary statistic that we must try to address and that's why we have collaborated with Lifejacket Skin Protection.

The facts about safety in the sun are usually well recognised. Research has shown that men are aware that sun exposure causes sunburn, and in turn, skin cancer. Yet despite this knowledge, many men are in denial about the risk of sun exposure to their own skin and fail to use sun protection – hat, sunscreen, clothing and sunglasses – regularly.

Men take less protective measures than women and are more likely to agree with the statement that ‘having a tan is sexy’.

The link between attractiveness and tanning is something we have worked very hard to overcome. While this has been somewhat successful amongst women, men are ignoring the risk preferring to focus on the perceived desirability of having a tan. This is a clear example of denial – skin cancer doesn’t discriminate. In fact, men under 49 are more likely to develop melanoma than any other cancer, and men between 15 and 39 are 55% more likely to die of melanoma than women in the same age group. 

Armed with these facts the partnership with Lifejacket Skin Protection makes perfect sense. Every day, Melanoma UK speaks to men and women whose lives have been shattered by melanoma. The messages are often clear: men just haven’t looked after their skin over the years.

They have a clever way of getting men to take care of their skin in a way that they haven’t bothered to before.

The products have been developed by men, for men, so the team really have got it right. The formula, packaging, cost, will fit well with any man of any age. Every product has been designed without compromise to combat men's pain points and remove all excuses for year round skin health and protection.

Listen to this short video from Professor James Larkin, Medical Advisor to Melanoma UK

We will be bringing you more updates on our partnership with the Lifejacket team.....Melanoma UK is really happy to be collaborating with such a fantastic team.

                                                     LIFEJACKET CREATIVE GENIUSES 

If you wanted to get to know a bit more about the guys behind LifeJacket Skin Protection and read a bit more about them and their motivations for taking on skin cancer then click on their photo below. 

                                               

In addition to the creative 'lovies', Lifejacket also has some 'really clever' people on their Scientific Panel but don't just take our word for it pop over to Lifejacket Skin Protection and check out the full team!     

LifeJacket Skin Protection Campaign - Encouraging Prevention & Detection

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MELANOMA FACTS & STATS

• Melanoma diagnoses are increasing at epidemic rates. You can help make a difference by knowing and sharing the facts about melanoma.
• Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer
• Melanoma skin cancer is the 5th most common cancer in the UK
• Melanoma is not just a skin cancer. It can develop anywhere on the body – eyes, scalp, nails, feet, mouth, etc.
• Melanoma does not discriminate by age, race, or gender. Everyone is at risk.
• 49% of melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK are in females, and 51% are in males.
• In women, the most common place for melanoma to develop is on the legs
• In men, melanoma is most commonly found on the chest and back
• The most common sign of melanoma is the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole
• There are two main types of UV rays that damage our skin, both of which can cause skin cancer:
  • UVB causes most sunburns
  • UVA ages the skin, however contributes less towards sunburn
• People with fair skin, red or fair hair and freckles are more sensitive to the sun.
• The link between exposure to the sun and skin cancer wasn't discovered until 1956
• It takes only one blistering sunburn, especially at a young age, to more than double a person’s chance of developing melanoma later in life.
• Indoor tanning beds are proven to cause cancer and have been classified into the highest cancer risk category by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC).

These tips can help protect your skin from too much UV exposure: 

• Use an SPF 30 moisturiser every day
• Use SPF 30 or 50+ sunscreen when outside for long periods
• Wear a wide brim hat and sunnies when the sun is strong
• Invest in some UPF clothing, the ultimate barrier such as LifeJacket’s range of UPF 50+ tops and wide-brimmed hats
• Check your skin every month for moles or new markings