The Sun Awareness campaign this year is proud to be supported by World Cup winners, the England Women's Cricket Team. The team have had a tremendous year, winning the ICC World Twenty20 as well as retaining the Ashes and the Women's World Cup.

We went along to meet the team, who regularly spend hours out in the sunshine, and check their skin for any early signs of skin cancer.

The team were offered advice about the importance of protecting their skin from the sun and regularly checking their skin for any changes using our ABCD-Easy guide to mole checks.

Captain Charlotte Edwards said: "Being out in the sun a lot is something I've become more aware of as I have got older and I now know how important it is to wear sunscreen and re-apply regularly. She also admitted: "I do not check my skin as much as I should"

Mark Lane, Head Coach of the England women's cricket team, said:

"I have checked my skin on occasions and now know that I should have regular check-ups. I always make sure that I wear a cap and plenty of slap when I am out in the sun."

The team were keen to get their skin checked by our dermatologist and all offered their support for our Sun Awareness campaign.

 
In 2008, we were fortunate to have a number of famous faces and well known organisations backing the Sun Awareness campaign, encourgaing people to check their skin using our ABCD-Easy guide to mole checks.

Malignant melanoma kills around two thousand people a year, and the Association is keen to promote the use of its easy to use mole check guidelines.

We have been asked to provide talks and information to a range of organisations, including high-profile sporting clubs / teams, the British Army, and many more, and we are holding the UK's largest ever free mole check event at the BBC Gardener's World Show at the NEC in Birmingham in June.

TV favourite Anne Robinson is supporting the campaign and turning her no-nonsense approach to the nation’s skin. She said:

“I doubt I would be here today if a dermatologist hadn’t spotted that the mole in the middle of my back looked dangerous.

It wasn’t visible to me. It took two operations to clear my melanoma; the  result of years of sunbathing when I was young without bothering too much about protection -or realizing the risk to someone as fair skinned as I am. I’m  lucky to be alive.”
 

World renowned dermatologist Dr Nick Lowe, who discovered and diagnosed Anne's melanoma, is also backing the campaign. He said:

"Finding Anne’s melanoma shows how important a skin examination is for anyone at risk for skin cancers. Early diagnosis and treatment of a melanoma can be a cure.
You are more at risk if you have blonde or red hair, have a family history of skin cancer, have many moles, use artificial sun beds or cabinets, have had skin cancer in the past. 
See a trained GMC specialist registered Dermatologist for the care of your whole skin, hair and nails. "

This year our Sun Awareness campaign is also supported by actress Daisy Bates, better known by many as Kate Kavanagh in Kavanagh QC for ITV, and for her various film roles including Skydance, Harry Potter and upcoming feature with Ewan Macgregor, The Tourist.

She said: “I am aware that skin cancer is a disease that can be avoided by early detection. I look for any changes in my skin as part of my daily skincare routine. I also try to avoid sun exposure where possible and always wear a high protection sun cream.

"These campaign messages are important to educate people. If someone were to notice changes to their own skin - it could indicate an early sign of skin cancer. We all need to have regular checks".
 

We are also extremely fortunate to be working with the England and Wales Cricket Board, educating the ECB First Class cricket umpires at their pre season on how to detect the signs of a possible skin cancer.

Given that umpires are exposed to the elements during the sunniest part of the year, often for lonmg periods of time, ECB and the umpires themselves are working with the British Association of Dermatologists to learn about staying safe in the sun, and the importance of regular skin checks by a dermatologist.