Melanoma Awareness Month: Why It Matters and How to Protect Your Skin

Melanoma: The Beginning of equatorsun

In 2004 Annette, a mum of three, was diagnosed with melanoma. The reality of sun damage could not have been clearer. Frustrated by how little practical, reliable sun protection existed, she set out to protect herself and her family with sun protective clothing, and then to bring it to other people. That became equatorsun.

Annette died in 2009 at 43. Her family carries on the business and the mission she started: getting sun protective clothing onto more people, so that fewer families lose someone too soon.

Melanoma Today: A Rising Threat

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, and cases are rising. In the UK more than 17,500 people are diagnosed each year and around 2,300 die from it. Worldwide, over 325,000 people are diagnosed annually.

It is also one of the most common cancers in younger adults, which makes it unusual among cancers. The good news is that when melanoma is found early it is highly treatable. The problem is awareness, and that is what Melanoma Awareness Month is for.

Early Detection: Know the ABCDE Signs

Most melanomas can be spotted early by watching for changes in the skin. The ABCDE checklist is the one to remember:

• A – Asymmetry: one half of the mole does not match the other.
• B – Border: irregular, ragged or blurred edges.
• C – Colour: uneven colour or several shades in one mole.
• D – Diameter: larger than 6 mm, about the size of a pencil eraser.
• E – Evolving: any change in size, shape, colour or how it feels, including itching or bleeding.

Check your skin once a month, including your back, scalp and the soles of your feet, and see your GP about anything new or changing. Early detection saves lives.

Prevention Tips: Sun Safety Starts With You

• Seek shade between 11am and 3pm, when UK UV is strongest.
• Wear UPF-rated clothing that covers your arms, legs and torso.
• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher on any exposed skin.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and UV-protective sunglasses.
• Never use a sunbed. Using one before the age of 35 raises your risk of melanoma by up to 75%.
• Protect children from the start. One blistering sunburn in childhood doubles the risk of melanoma later in life.

Why UPF Clothing Matters

UPF 50+ clothing blocks at least 98% of UV and, unlike sunscreen, it does not wear off. It is light and breathable, and it is the simplest answer for children, sensitive skin and anyone who works outdoors, because once it is on the job is done. Covering up also means far less sunscreen to apply and reapply. If you are unsure whether UPF clothing works or is worth it, our guide to sun protective clothing explains how it is tested.

Melanoma Treatment: Hope Through Science

Immunotherapy and targeted drugs have transformed survival for advanced melanoma over the past decade, and personalised mRNA vaccines are now in late-stage trials, offering real hope of keeping the cancer from returning after treatment.

Even so, early detection still makes the biggest difference to the outcome, and prevention remains better than any cure.

Melanoma Awareness Month: How You Can Help

• Share the ABCDE signs with friends and family.
• Join campaigns such as #GetNaked that encourage people to check their skin.
• Support charities like Melanoma UK and Skcin.
• Wear your sun-safe gear, and make it normal for the people around you.

Protect the Skin You're In

Melanoma Awareness Month is a call to action, and for us a personal one. Every time someone chooses to cover up or gets a mole checked, that is Annette's legacy at work.

Stay out of the sun when you can, wear sunscreen on the skin you cannot cover, and wear sun protective clothing on the rest, whether it is ours or anyone else's. Please cover up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is melanoma and why is it so dangerous?

Melanoma is a skin cancer that starts in melanocytes, the cells that make pigment. It is dangerous because it can spread to other parts of the body if it is not caught early. Found early, it is highly treatable, which is why checking your skin matters so much.

How can I tell if a mole might be melanoma?

Use the ABCDE checklist: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Colour variation, Diameter over 6 mm, and Evolving size, shape, colour or behaviour. Any mole that changes, itches, bleeds or simply looks different from the others should be checked by your GP as soon as possible.

Do I still need sunscreen if I wear UPF 50+ clothing?

Yes, on the skin the clothing does not cover. Your face, neck, ears and hands still need a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen. UPF clothing and sunscreen work together: the clothing covers most of you, the sunscreen covers the gaps.

What does UPF mean and how is it different from SPF?

UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) measures how much UVA and UVB a fabric blocks. SPF (Sun Protection Factor) measures how well a sunscreen protects against UVB, the rays that burn. UPF is for clothing, SPF is for creams and sprays, and you need both for full coverage.

Is UPF clothing hot to wear in summer?

No. Most UPF clothing is made from light, breathable, quick-drying fabric designed for warm weather. A long-sleeve UPF top often feels cooler than bare skin in direct sun, because it shades you and wicks sweat away.

How often should I check my skin for melanoma?

Once a month. Check your whole body, using a mirror or a partner for your back and scalp, and look for new moles or changes to old ones. If you are at higher risk, with fair skin, many moles or a family history, ask your GP about regular professional skin checks.

Can children get melanoma?

Yes, although it is rare. Children with fair skin, a history of sunburn or many moles are at higher risk, and sunburn in childhood raises the risk of melanoma as an adult. That is why sun-safe habits and UPF clothing from an early age matter.