AFTER ENJOYING THE HOTTEST SUMMER ON RECORD WITH PEOPLE FLOCKING OUTSIDE TO SOAK UP THE RAYS, NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO REMIND YOUR CLIENTS ABOUT PROTECTION, AS THEY RETURN FROM HOLIDAYS IN TIME TO GET THE KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL AND BACK INTO THEIR REGULAR ROUTINES.
Did you know skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK?1 Between 2014-2016 there was an average of 16,000 new cases every year, with around 2,400 deaths each year(2) . Anyone of any age can be diagnosed. Even though we are more aware of the risks now than before, incidence rates for melanoma are still rising. In the last decade melanoma skin cancer incidence cases in the UK increased by 100% for women and by 181% for men(3).
Cancer is consistently the top claim reason for critical illness products on our panel and yet we do little to help ourselves. 80% of us are not applying sunscreen when going out in the sun according to a survey carried out by the British Association of Dermatologists(4) . The survey also found that 70 percent of people fail to reapply sunscreen every two hours as recommended.
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and often we aren’t thinking about the risks of cancer when we are out enjoying nice weather. It doesn’t take much time out in the sun to damage your skin and that damage, when it builds up over time, can add up to a scary diagnosis.
So, if you’re seeing clients while the sun is shining this summer don’t forget the sunscreen! And don’t forget to talk to them about ‘Cancer Cover’.
For more information please contact me on steve.berry@primis.co.uk.
Steve Berry
Protection Proposition Manager
Sources:
1. http://www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk/SkinInformation/ SkinCancer.aspx
2. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/ cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/ melanoma-skin-cancer
3. http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/ cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/skin-cancer/ incidence#heading-Two
4. http://www.bad.org.uk/media/news (Article 8th May 2016)
