Worcester skin cancer survivor urges people to be cautious of sun as temperatures soar
Martyn Wells was diagnosed with melanoma in 2017 and nearly lost his life
A skin cancer survivor from Worcester is urging people to take care of their skin as temperatures continue to soar.
Martyn Wells says people can be "a bit blasé" when it comes to taking care of their skin in England compared to when they travel abroad.
The county has enjoyed high temperatures over the last few days and the hot spell is expected to last into the weekend.
But there's a warning that people need to apply appropriate and effective sun cream and seek medical advice if they notice any blemishes appear.
Martyn said: "I think most people think that it's just skin cancer and that it's okay you can just have it cut out and that it's not a serious cancer like breast or lung cancer.
"I think people can be a bit blase about things and think that it's okay if they burn and get a bit of skin cancer they can have it removed.
"I guess with things like skin cancer you just don't think it will happen to you. Although it's the third most common cancer type in the UK I didn't think it would happen to me."
Martyn was diagnosed with melanoma in March 2017 which lead to him having his stomach removed due to tumours which began growing on it.
He became tumour free around a year later, but after being treated with immunotherapy he contracted severe pneumonia and then sepsis which left him on a life support machine for 16 days.
He continued: "This time of the year, we're now into June, the sun is at the peak of it's strength.
"The sun can be, in terms of its ultra-violet light, just as strong as in the Mediterranean.
"People can get really damaging burns if they're not careful which is why it's crucial people use factor 30 sun cream or above and look out for creams which are five star UVA which is what provides the most protection against the sun's rays."
It's thought men are less likely to look after their skin in the hot weather or seek medical attention if the notice a blemish on their skin.
Martyn added: "I think men generally aren't quite as caring of themselves in the same way as women.
"Men probably aren't as good with talking about these things as well so if they find a lump like I did within a mole, they're perhaps not as ready to accept it or discuss it with their partners.
"Therefore they don't get access to the medical help that they need as soon as possible."
To find out more about skin cancer and how yo can protect yourself against the sun visit www.melanomauk.org.uk