Builders’ higher skin cancer risk

BUILDERS, the police and the Armed Forces have a higher risk of developing the most deadly type of skin cancer, researchers warn.

They claim that 2 per cent of all cases of malignant melanoma in the UK are caused by working outside in the sun.

This equates to five new cases and one death each week, according to the study by Imperial College London.

Writing in the British Journal of Cancer, lead researcher Dr Lesley Rushton said: ‘This research shows you don’t have to work in the Mediterranean or a traditionally sunny country for the sun to damage your skin.’

There are about 15,400 new cases of malignant melanoma in the UK each year and 2,500 deaths. Rates have increased five-fold since the 1990s, partly due to the boom in package holidays and sun bed use.