Bat, Box and Sunscreen
Nottinghamshire County Cricketers were on the defensive at Trent Bridge last month when they attended a pre-season skin cancer screening.

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As well as conducting the screening, Queens Medical Centre Consultant Dermatologist and Dermatological Surgeon, Dr. Sandeep Varma, advised players on the best way to cover up during the comingseason. Chairman of the Nottingham based and newly formed ‘Karen Clifford Skin Cancer Charity’ - SKCIN - Dr. Varma claims that sportsmen and women need to be well informed in regard to the harmful effects of over-exposure to the sun.

Dr. Varma adds: “Cricketers don’t just need to pad up, they need to cover up. ‘Bat, Box and Sunscreen’ is perhaps the slogan that should be on the dressing room wall. Indeed all men and women who regularly participate in outdoor sports, particularly during the summer months, should be aware of the harmful effects of over exposure to the sun. Rates of deadly skin cancer are expected to treble in the next thirty years.

More than 7,300 cases of malignant melanoma the deadliest form of skin cancer are diagnosed every year in the UK and over 1,700 will die from the disease during 2008. Aware that a significant number of people who regularly participate in sport present with skin problems, SKCIN propose to launch an awareness campaign targeting sports clubs in the Nottinghamshire area.

The principle objective of SKCIN is to ensure that the danger of over exposure to the sun is given greater profile with the emphasis on education resulting in the vital early detection of the disease. The charity are currently constructing an in-depth and informative website so remember to watch this space: www.skcin.org

FHP Magazine Issue 28
July/ August 2007