ONLY 2% of people fear getting skin cancer more than any other form of the disease, despite official statistics which show rates are soaring.
The survey of more than 2000 adults by Cancer Research UK also showed that more than a third of people in the UK fear cancer more than other life-threatening conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, strokes and heart disease.
But the finding that such a low number of people worry about skin cancer – or malignant melanoma – more than other forms of the disease comes despite the incidence of the disease increasing considerably over the last decade.
Dr Lara Bennett, science communications manager at the Association for International Cancer Research, said: “It is not surprising only 2% of people feared malignant melanoma more than other forms of cancer as many do not understand how dangerous it can actually be.
“Over the last 25 years, rates of malignant melanoma in Britain have risen faster than any of the top 10 cancers in males and females.”
According to official figures from 2009, the incidence of skin cancer in Scotland rose by 71% in women and 68% in men in only 10 years.
Dr Bennett stressed people with fair skin, like many of the Scottish population, should use a high-factor suncream, avoid using sunbeds and stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm.
The Cancer Research UK study found that brain cancer was the most feared form of the disease, followed by bowel and lung cancers. People said that they feared brain cancer because they thought it was the cancer they were most likely to die from (57%), or which had the worst symptoms (47%).
For women, breast cancer (13%) caused the most concern after brain cancer, followed by bowel and lung.
When asked about survival, 21% said they thought breast cancer had the best survival rate and 12% thought testicular cancer had the best chance of survival.
Actual figures show that, at 97%, testicular cancer has the best survival rate after five years of any cancer and breast cancer has an 85% survival rate after five years.

For women, breast cancer (13%) caused the most concern after brain cancer, followed by bowel and lung. When asked about survival, 21% said they thought breast cancer had the best survival rate and 12% thought testicular cancer had the best chance of
A complete response, defined as complete clearance of skin, blood and node involvement for at least 4 weeks, was seen in 30 percent of patients (n= 29). Partial response was found in 45 percent of patients (44). The 5-year survival rate for all groups
A complete response, defined as complete clearance of skin, blood and node involvement for at least 4 weeks, was seen in 30 percent of patients (n= 29). Partial response was found in 45 percent of patients (44). The 5-year survival rate for all groups
A RARE form of skin cancer has been found to be more aggressive than melanoma in a recent survival-rate study. MCC was most commonly found on the face and scalp for men and the risk of developing MCC increases with age. Image: iStock A population based
In fact, the survival rate is 99 percent, if the melanoma is detected before it penetrates the skin. The survival rate falls to 15 percent for people with the advanced disease, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Put another way -- melanoma is
Cancer is deadly, but it need not kill. Through timely detection and proper treatment, it is possible to survive the Big C. Lung And Brain Cancer Survival Rate Medical practitioners are now turning to technology to detect the presence of cancer cells and keep them from spreading; and what better way to spot the presence of cancer cells or ensure its complete removal than through infrared cameras?
An infrared camera, also known as thermographic camera, is a device that uses infrared radiation to form an image. It was originally developed for military use. Over the years, however, the infrared camera has become the equipment of choice not only by law enforcers and intelligence officers, but also by doctors and archaeologists.
By far the most dramatic and useful application of the infrared camera is in the field of medicine. Infrared cameras have been found to be very effective in cancer screening.
Detecting Breast Cancer
Infrared cameras are used to identify vascular thermal patterns in breasts. These patterns are usually signs of the early-stage development of breast cancer. In a process known as thermography, vascular conditions called angiogenesis are easily detected. What makes the use of infrared cameras in breast cancer detection particularly dramatic is that thermal imaging systems reveal angiogenesis years before mammograms are able to detect them.
Understanding Infrared Thermography
In infrared thermography, an infrared camera measures temperature differences occurring in different body parts. These cameras create pictures pointing to areas of the body where abnormal cell growth is suspected. Infrared cameras are able to do this because abnormal tissues give off more heat than normal tissues. What this means is that under an infrared probe, body parts with unusual cell growth show up quite clearly.
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Pinpointing Skin Cancer Cells
Experts also look into the possibility of using infrared technology to map out the roots of skin cancer. Infrared cameras are made to distinguish between cancerous and non-cancerous lesions. Should this procedure be approved for widespread application, it will eliminate the need for cost-intensive physical examinations and tissue biopsies.