CASES of a deadly form of skin cancer will treble in the next 30 years unless warnings about sunburn are heeded, according to researchers.

In a stark warning to Britain's sun worshippers, Professor Brian Diffey, of Newcastle University, revealed figures showing the incidence of malignant melanoma rising sharply among young and elderly people.

Prof Diffey, who advises Cancer Research UK, said there was evidence that the disease, often associated with age, was being found in younger patients.

If the trend continues, Prof Diffey has calculated that today's children could be three times more likely than their grandparents to have a malignant melanoma.

Apart from covering up in the sun, Prof Diffey has urged everyone to watch out for unusual skin blemishes, moles and changes to moles.

He said: "Acting promptly can save lives, and early detection and treatment will give many melanoma patients an excellent prognosis."

Prof Diffey, who is based at Newcastle General Hospital, spoke as he took part in the national launch in London yesterday of Cancer Research UK's SunSmart campaign.

This year, SunSmart will target 16 to 24-year-olds, warning that sunburn can double their risk of skin cancer.

North schools will be offered posters, lesson plans and activity sheets based on the SunSmart code.

The code urges people to wear high-factor suncream, stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm, wear a a T-shirt, wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and to take extra care with children.

In the UK, more than 7,300 cases of malignant melanoma are diagnosed each year, and more than 1,700 people die from the disease.

A recent study by Prof Diffey showed that men and women born in 1970 are being diagnosed with melanoma at the same rate as people who were born in 1930, who did not develop melanoma until their 50s.

Last year, young mother Sam Broadbent, 31, backed efforts by Stockton Borough Council to curb irresponsible use of tanning booths and salons.

Mrs Broadbent, who lives in Stockton, believes her malignant melanoma was triggered by excessive exposure to sunbed radiation.

Mrs Broadbent said she suspected the increase in malignant melanomas in younger people was partly because of the rising popularity of tanning parlours.

She said: "Without a doubt, more young people go on sunbeds than old people."

Last week, the World Health Organisation issued guidance urging people under 18 not to use sunbeds.

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