That this House notes with concern that skin cancer is now the most common form of cancer in Northern Ireland, accounting for over 31 per cent of all cancer diagnoses; further notes that cases of malignant melanoma have quadrupled since the mid-1980s, with over 400 cases now diagnosed annually; expresses alarm that at least 11 people in Northern Ireland are diagnosed with skin cancer every day, totalling approximately 4,361 cases per year; observes that 34 per cent of the population rarely or never use sunscreen and that nearly half suffer from sunburn at least once a year; highlights the increased risk associated with the 27 per cent of residents who have used sunbeds; commends the work of the Care in the Sun campaign and community pharmacies in promoting UV awareness; and calls on the Government to support enhanced public health initiatives and education to encourage the use of SPF 30+ sunscreen and regular skin checks to combat this rising trend.
