World-first test of sun-damaged ski...( holidays available which means that m...),Health

"The key issue with handing out general advice on sun safety is that it's not specific enough for the individual. It's human nature for people to assume that diseases like skin cancer happen to other people and they tend not to make any adjustments to their behaviour until they are threatened with the real possibility of it affecting them.

"That's where our skin test has the advantage. People who take it get a highly personalised assessment of the risks they are facing from the sun, which depends on factors such as their genetic skin type, lifestyle, and, most importantly, the results from the test, which reveals the extent of damage accumulated over many years."

Prof Birch-Machin, who is also developing the next generation of sun creams in his laboratories, added: "We then provide customised advice, such as the sun protection factor and star rating of sun cream patients should buy, and further advice on how to apply it. We also tell patients about behaviour changes they should make to increase their sun protection that would allow them to enjoy the sun but to enjoy it more safely. They can then come back for further tests to see if the changes they have made have had any affect."

The full test includes the skin test and questionnaire analysis but if there is not a healthcare provider nearby then the individual may want to try the questionnaire alone. This will be available online. Prof Birch-Machin would eventually like to see the UK's Department of Health take the service on board and offer it to NHS patients.

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Contact: Prof Mark Birch-Machin
m.a.birch-machin@ncl.ac.uk
01-912-225-841
University of Newcastle upon Tyne
17-Nov-2005