I find it quite scary that we still have a sunbed culture in this country

In the latest instalment of Sportsmail’s ground-breaking series on health in sport, we speak to Jordan Moore and Cammy Graham, two young footballers who were diagnosed with skin cancer at 19 and 18, respectively. Moore, now 28, believes attitudes toward skin cancer have made little progress nearly nine years after he overcame melanoma twice. Graham, meanwhile, was diagnosed in 2021 and admits it was a traumatic time for him and his family. ‘People think cancer only affects unhealthy people, but if it’s happening to professional athletes then it just shows that it can happen to anyone. Cancer doesn’t discriminate,’ says Moore.

FORMER Dundee United striker Jordan Moore believes attitudes toward skin cancer have made little progress nearly nine years after he overcame melanoma.

As part of Sportsmail’s ground-breaking series highlighting some of the most serious health issues facing athletes in professional sport, the 28-year-old remains concerned by the ‘sunbed culture’ in Scotland and the effect it is having on youngsters in particular.

Moore was diagnosed aged just 19 while on loan at League One side Dunfermline in January 2014 after a mole on one of his cheeks was found to be cancerous.

Melanoma is a type of cancer that starts in cells in the skin. The most common sign is the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole.

The cancer spread to his neck and 90 lymph nodes had to be removed as surgeons cut into his neck and mouth.

Moore eventually won his health battle but his footballing career ended at the age of 22. Despite the passing of time, he still expresses concern for those who may be unaware of the dangers of exposing skin to sunlight — even outside summer months.

The 28-year-old was further alerted to the potential extreme consequences of skin damage during a recent spell in Australia as head of talent ID and recruitment at Perth Glory where he worked alongside former St Mirren, Ross County and Motherwell midfielder Steven McGarry.

While differences in climate between Scotland and Down Under are obvious, Moore believes there is an example to follow — and admits even he could do more to highlight the risks.

Asked if attitudes here had changed since his cancer fight, Moore (below) replied: ‘I think it’s just as bad, especially the sunbed culture.

‘I was going out for dinner about two weeks ago and outside a sunbed shop in Glasgow there was a queue of about ten or 12 young kids — they looked to me under 18 — waiting to go in for sunbeds. I don’t think it has got any better.

‘In Australia, sunbeds are banned altogether, which I believe is a good thing. But it’s still quite bad here. You hear people talking about going for a sunbed and they don’t realise the effects it could have on their body.

‘I had never been through anything like that (his skin cancer). The doctors said it could just be down to going on holiday or playing golf in the summer when I was off from football. I would never put sun cream on in Scotland.

‘More people are getting diagnosed all the time with melanoma. You see quite a lot of young girls online say they won’t go for sunbeds now, with scars all over their face. It’s not worth it, because it can influence your life. It’s a scary prospect to fight cancer.

‘I don’t think enough goes on but I know a lot of people do try. I’ve not done as much as I used to do. I can’t say that I’ve been doing a lot to try to combat it. It’s hard to tell people what not to do. You can only give people advice.’

Bayern Munich and Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer revealed this month that he has been suffering from skin cancer on his face and has had surgery three times. The 36-year-old has now invested in a sun cream brand with compatriot and three-time Grand Slam tennis champion Angelique Kerber.

Moore, who has recently started a role as Scotland lead scout for Southampton, knows it can only be positive if more people — especially sportsmen and women — talk about skin cancer all year round, as there may be a perception that there is only a risk in summer months. ‘In Australia, the weather is brilliant but nobody goes out without sun cream on,’ he continued. ‘Whereas here, as soon as it is nice weather everybody is out and they are proud by how burnt they get. In Australia, kids can’t go to school or nursery without sun cream in their bag.

‘People think cancer only affects unhealthy people, but cancer doesn’t discriminate.’

Moore, who still goes for yearly check-ups, remains grateful to the doctors and medics who helped him battle back to health.

‘The surgeons and NHS were unbelievable to me,’ he said. ‘They always have been in terms of getting scans and making sure there’s nothing new.’

Moore, naturally, remains disappointed that his playing career was cut short — but he has no regrets and feels proud to have beaten cancer.

‘I have no regrets in football,’ he added. ‘I tried to get back to the level but I couldn’t quite get there.

‘The scars are still very visible, so that reminds me every day. But I’m proud I overcame it.’