Melanoma & Skin Cancer News Round Up: 29/04/2014

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• GSK’s Mekinist on course for EU melanoma approval

GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK) skin cancer drug Mekinist was the only new medicine recommended by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in its latest batch of opinions.

http://www.pmlive.com/pharma_news/gsks_mekinist_on_course_for_eu_melanoma_approval_563017

• Cheap holidays 'increased' melanoma rates

Skin cancer rates ‘surge since 1970s’,” reports the BBC.

The news is based on a press release from Cancer Research UK after the release of new figures for the number of people diagnosed with malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. The statistics show that the number of people being diagnosed with malignant melanoma is five times higher than it was 40 years ago.

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2014/04April/Pages/Cheap-holidays-increased-melanoma-rates.aspx

• Pauline Latham: Teachers should be able to protect children against melanoma

Some months ago, I met with a skin cancer specialist who had worked in Australia. He told me that every child there is required to carry a bottle of water and sun cream in their school bag. Teachers in Australian schools are also permitted to apply the cream should the child be unable to do so. This sort of teacher/pupil contact would of course be frowned upon in this country, and many teachers would be apprehensive about such physical contact. This blanket no-touching policy is absurd. If a teacher puts cream onto a child in full view of others, and especially is a woman, what is the problem? Once a child is able to apply it themselves they can, but in the early years they do need help.

http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Pauline-Latham-Teachers-able-protect-children/story-21011986-detail/story.html#ixzz30GiaxS4Q

• How healthy is your postcode? Malignant melanoma map shows Cornwall and Devon's high risk of skin cancer

A new online map that allows people to enter their postcode and find the risk of developing 14 conditions has gone live, highlighting the high risk of skin cancer in Cornwall and Devon.

http://www.middevonstar.co.uk/news/devon_news/11172531.How_healthy_is_your_postcode__Malignant_melanoma_map_shows_Cornwall_and_Devon_s_high_risk_of_skin_cancer/

• Skin cancer alert issued as number of cases soars

Rates of malignant melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, are five times higher in the UK than they were in the 1970s, new figures show.

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/apr/21/skin-cancer-alert-malignant-melanoma

• Crackdown on tanning salons as East Lancs skin cancer toll rises

COUNCIL chiefs have pledged to get tough on tanning salons after new figures revealed a huge rise in the number of skin cancer sufferers in East Lancashire.

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/11172343.Crackdown_on_tanning_salons_as_East_Lancs_skin_cancer_toll_rises/

• Skin Cancer: How To Spot The Signs

Two big stories around skin cancer have cropped up recently: one is that men who live alone are more likely to get skin cancer and the second is that scientists have made a step towards understanding what role family history plays in getting the disease.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/04/22/skin-cancer-how-to-spot-the-signs_n_5076652.html