- Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer as it can often spread
- 29% of patients were only diagnosed following a referral to a specialist
- Statistics have prompted health watchdog NICE to demand improvement
- New guidelines stresses GPs should refer cases of suspected malignant melanoma within 2 weeks
Stephen Matthews For Mailonline
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GPs are failing to refer almost one in three patients with malignant melanoma for urgent tests, new statistics reveal.
Data from the National Cancer Intelligence Network shows 56 per cent of cases were diagnosed following an urgent two week referral for suspected cancer.
But 29 per cent weren’t given the urgent tests and were only diagnosed following a referral to a specialist – which can take up to six weeks.
The statistics have prompted the health watchdog NICE to say services must improve for skin cancer patients.
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Around 29 per cent of patients were only diagnosed with malignant melanoma following a referral to a specialist – which can take up to six weeks, new statistics reveal
They have published a new quality standard setting out the key areas for driving up care.
It stresses doctors should refer people with suspected malignant melanoma for an appointment to see a specialist within two weeks through the urgent referral system for suspected cancer.
Another 2 per cent of cases were diagnosed in AE while 5 per cent are diagnosed when the person was already an inpatient in hospital.
Figures released in July showed that the ‘sun, sea and sangria’ generation of older people is being diagnosed with deadly skin cancer at an alarming rate.
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Some 10,583 people aged 55 and over were told they had malignant melanoma in 2014, the most recent figure available, up from about 3,100 cases 20 years ago.
Cancer Research UK said people living longer is contributing to the rise but also blamed cheap package holidays.
It said the generation – who took inexpensive package holidays from the 1960s onwards and wanted a tan at all costs – were now being diagnosed due to sun exposure and sunburn.
Rates of melanoma in people aged 55 and over have more than doubled in the last 20 years, the data showed.
Melanoma, pictured, is the most deadly type of skin cancer as it is aggressive and often spreads to other parts of the body
Meanwhile, rates among younger age groups are also rising, though at a slower rate, with a 63 per cent growth in the last 20 years.
The disease kills around 2,000 people in the UK every year.
Non-melanoma skin cancers are also common, with 72,100 new cases diagnosed in the UK in 2013.
Gillian Nuttall, chief executive of Melanoma UK, said: ‘Melanoma continues to rise in the UK and, armed with this knowledge, GPs need to treat the issue of skin lesions very seriously indeed.
‘Like many other diseases, melanoma is treatable if it is caught early enough.
‘We would like to see much more awareness of melanoma and believe that GPs have a vital role to play in raising awareness.
‘Surgeries ought to have more information on melanoma and what patients should be looking for.
‘GPs have a duty to ensure that they treat all skin issues in an appropriate and timely manner.’
HOW TO TELL IF YOU HAVE MELANOMA?
Melanoma can appear anywhere on the body, but they most commonly appear on the back, legs, arms and face and even underneath a nail.
Though less common, they often spread to other organs in the body, making them more deadly.
The most common sign is the appearance of a new mole or spot or a change in an existing mole.
Signs to look out for include a spot that is:
- getting bigger
- changing shape
- changing colour
- bleeding or becoming crusty
- itchy or painful
A helpful way to tell the difference between a normal mole or spot and a melanoma is the ‘ABCDE’ checklist:
Asymmetrical – melanomas have two very different halves and are an irregular shape
Border – melanomas have a notched or ragged border
Colours – melanomas will be a mix of two or more colours
Diameter – melanomas are often larger than 6mm (1/4 inch) in diameter
Enlargement or elevation – a mole that changes size over time is more likely to be a melanoma
Aside from changing moles or spots on the skin, there are a number of other risk factors for melanoma.
They include:
- exposure to UV light
- having fair skin, freckles and light or red hair
- a family history of melanomas
- a personal history of melanoma or other skin cancers
- having a weakened immune system
Source: American Cancer Society
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