Wirral students raise awareness of skin cancer (From Wirral Globe)

Wirral students raise awareness of skin cancer

12:11pm Friday 17th August 2012 in News By Craig Manning

POSTERS designed by college students will be the focus of Wirral’s skin cancer awareness campaign this year.

Art students at Wirral Metropolitan College and Birkenhead Sixth Form College were invited by NHS Wirral to design posters highlighting the dangers of over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or sunbeds and the importance of checking skin regularly.

The competition was split into three categories aimed at warning people not to use sunbeds; to cover up if working outdoors; and to check their moles.

Winning designs have now been chosen and will be used as part of this year’s campaign to help raise awareness of skin cancer.

The winners are: Sunbeds: Mark West and Sam Tarpey, both Wirral Metropolitan College art and design students Outdoor working: Naomi Harris, studying BA (Hons) Illustration and Animation at Wirral Metropolitan College Moles: Sarah Diamond, studying BA (Hons) Illustration and Animation at Wirral Metropolitan College Fiona Johnstone, Wirral’s director of public health, said: “Raising skin cancer awareness is important, as Wirral sees an average of around 550 cases a year.

“Most skin cancers are caused by dangerous UV rays.

“These cancers can be prevented if we protect ourselves from overexposure to these rays and enjoy the sun safely.

“We wanted to involve young people in designing posters to help us make sure the campaign and its messages reach different target audiences and we’re delighted with the results. They are creative, eye-catching and hard-hitting which is exactly what we were hoping for.”

Figures show that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK, accounting for a third of all new cancers, and incidence rates in England have increased by around 30 per cent over the last five years.

Research predicts that melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, will account for more than 75,000 cases of skin cancer in 2012. It is already responsible for almost 9,000 of the nearly 12,000 skin cancer deaths each year.

The posters will be featured as part of an awareness event next Thursday, August 30 when Merseyside and Cheshire Cancer Network’s Information Van (iVan) will be located in Horatio Street, Birkenhead, (opposite Asda) between 10am and 4pm.

The mobile unit is used to provide information on cancer and cancer screening, early detection, skin and mole changes, health awareness and blood pressure checks across the area. Qualified nurses will be on hand to provide blood pressure checks, cancer awareness talks and confidential one-to-one discussions.

Merseyside radio station Juice FM is supporting the campaign and will also be on site to give out leaflets between 11am and 3pm.