Can they win the skin test?

BEING paid a decent wage for playing cricket may sound like heaven, but standing all day in the blazing sun has its downside.

Persistent exposure to sunshine can trigger deadly cancers – and the UK is in the middle of an epidemic of skin cancers.

While the vast majority of professional players are careful and use high factor sun blocks on the cricket pitch, amateurs may be tempted to go easy on the sun cream to get a tan.

And despite the increased risk of potentially fatal skin cancer, this cavalier attitude is even more prevalent among the non-cricketing population of the North-East.

This week, research by the skin care company sk:n found that more than one in ten people in the region only apply sun protection when their skin is already burnt – and eight per cent never use sun cream at all.

That’s why, as the season gets under way, more than 20 professional cricketers from Durham County Cricket Club agreed to skin cancer screenings at The Riverside cricket ground in Chester-le-Street.

Every player underwent a full body mole check with a consultant dermatologist, followed by a skin assessment.

A specially-trained nurse completed an assessment under a UV lamp to show existing sun damage and any other problem areas on the face.

The event was jointly organised by the Professional Cricketers Association, whose assistant chief executive Jason Ratcliffe says: “Cricketers are more at risk of sun damage than most sports players due to the length of the game and time spent abroad.

As such, we feel it is our duty of care to them to provide this service, but supporters and those playing outdoor sports need to be careful too.”

The skin cancer roadshow has already visited 13 county cricket grounds and tested around 300 players.

Worryingly, while the vast majority of players were given a clean bill of health, between 10 and 15 per cent were advised to have further checks at their local skin cancer clinic.

Fast bowler Luke Evans, 23, from Sunderland, was one of the first players to be checked out yesterday. As someone brought up to be careful in the sun, he got the all-clear from the specialists.

Afterwards he told The Northern Echo: “I am pretty fair-skinned, in fact, I get my leg pulled in the dressing room because I am so white!”

But he has been impressed by the very tough attitude taken by the Australian government towards sun protection, where everyone is repeatedly told to cover up, wear a hat and use sun block to avoid sunburn.

“If you do neglect your skin, there is often a heartbreaking story to tell,” he added. “Yes, I wear a high factor sunblock and I wear a cap… after all a tan is just a sign of sun damage.”

GARETH Breese, an allrounder from Jamaica, doesn’t have to worry as much as Luke because his skin is darker. But Gareth says he is always careful to wear sun block in very sunny places like Australia and had this message: “It is important that everybody who spends time in the sun puts on sun block to be safe.”

Consultant dermatologist Dr Darron Seukaran, who is based at the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, says the key thing is for adults to watch out for new moles or existing moles which change shape, grow, bleed or itch.

Anyone with these symptoms should seek medical attention without delay.

“Every week I see several cases of skin cancer. Often they are in their 20s or 30s and with young families. If they have malignant melanoma, it can be deadly unless we catch it early.”

He urges everyone to wear sun block between 11am and 3pm, and to cover up and wear a hat. “Even on a cloudy day, you need to be careful – to be safe you should use sun protection from April to October.”

“It is all about your attitude. People think they are invincible, but they are not. You can’t take a chance.

Use sun block,” added Luke Evans.

Starting this weekend…

Treatment and prevention

THE symptoms of sunburn can include red skin that’s hot to the touch, pain and even blistering, fatigue and dizziness. In extreme cases, it may be life-threatening.

HOW CAN I PREVENT IT?

Cover up with loose clothing and a hat, and avoid going in the sun between 11am and 3pm. Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 for adults, and around 40 for children, half an hour before going out in the sun.

Base your decision to wear sun cream on the weather and UV index, which measures the strength of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Often people only think of wearing sun protection when abroad, but the rays from the sun can be just as strong in the UK.

HOW DO I TREAT IT?

Mild sunburn: Apply moisturising lotion or after-sun cream to cool the skin and relieve tightness. Cool the skin by sponging with lukewarm water or having a cool bath, while calamine lotion may relieve soreness and itching.

Drink plenty of fluids, not alcohol, to replace water lost through sweating, and avoid direct sunlight until the burn has healed.

For adults, painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol may help reduce swelling and pain.

Severe burns: These may require medical attention, and if a baby or small child is sunburnt, or if blisters and fever occur, seek medical advice.