As temperatures jump up & Brussels‘ parks and terraces are enthusiastically frequented. But while the sun means positive news for most people, a Belgian campaign has released a warning against the one thing that dehydrates the spirit: skin cancer.
It is the only type of cancer that has been raised significantly in the previous two decades, as well as a further increase, is expected in the next ten years.
Moreover, a Belgian initiative of dermatologists, Euromelanoma, is campaigning for more awareness about skin cancer. Discovered in Belgium in 1999, the organization appear out to be pan-European, as it is currently present in about 28 nations.
Together with, the campaigning helps, according to the dermatologist Belgian president of the organization, Thomas Maselis: “In our country, we observe less advanced stages than in countries that are not campaigning.”
Along with this, Maselis shared the information during an interview, “One in five Belgians will develop skin cancer before the age of 75. Of all registered cancers, skin cancer is the most common cancer in our country, accounting for 40%.”
Furthermore, the numbers have been increased as the skin cancer has seen an increase of over 400 percent over the previous two decades, from the cases of more than 11,000 skin cancer cases in 2004 to over 45,000 cases in 2019, as per the national cancer registry.
The main reasons for the higher rates are raised number of holidays in the sun, more radiation due to the depletion of the ozone layer, and insufficient protection while tanning.
In addition, the individual continues to underestimate the phenomenon of skin cancer as well as therefore does not protect themselves sufficiently against the sun.
There are certain people who are more at risk than others. Having pale skin, often getting sunburnt, using tanning beds and having skin cancer in the family can raise your chances of getting skin cancer.
Individuals more than the age of 50, as well as those taking a particular medication or having a faltering immune system, are also at a higher risk.
