Lots of us are choosing to have a staycation this summer. But while we wouldn’t dream of jetting off on holiday without packing our suncream the importance of staying safe in the sun often gets overlooked at home.

You may be surprised to know that 100,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year making it the most common form of cancer in the UK. There are two main types – non-melanoma (the most common but least serious type of skin cancer) and melanoma (the least common but life threatening variety, which usually starts as a mole). So it’s important to keep well protected and keep an eye on any moles.

Kate Grant, nurse specialist at The Mole Clinic gives her top tips on what to look for when checking your moles.

Regularly check your moles for any signs of change (i.e. size, shape and colour). It is recommended you self check your moles every three months and get a mole check once a year. If you are fair skinned, have a history of a blistering sunburn or have many moles, you should be getting checked once or twice a year.

Follow the ABCDE rule for checking your moles regularly.  The ABCDE for melanoma detection are:

• A is for asymmetrical shape where one-half of the mole is unlike the other.
• B is for border irregularity where the mole is irregular, scalloped or poorly defined.
• C is for colour which varies from one area to another or has different shades of tan, brown, black.
• D is for diameter of a mole when it is bigger than 7mm.
• E is for evolving or changing size, shape or colour.

See our feature on how to stay safe in the sun for great suncare product ideas.

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