'Be careful of sun on the ski slopes'

Holiday-makers heading for the ski slopes could be putting their health in danger, a leading skin cancer expert has warned.

Dr John McKenna believes many do not realise the dangers of sun damage or simply ignore the danger posed by bright sunshine in snowy climates.

Despite the cold, skiers and snow boarders often fail to heed warnings about plastering on a high factor sun lotion.

In the past year, Dr McKenna, a consultant dermatologist at Leicester's hospitals, has treated nearly 2,500 patients for basal cell carcinoma – the most common type of skin cancer. Often curable, it can still be disfiguring.

He expects the number to continue rising unless people start taking more care in the sun.

It is not just the skiers at risk but travellers jetting off to winter sunshine resorts.

Dr McKenna said one of the problems was the cancer often does not appear for many years after excessive sun exposure.

He said: "Although this type of cancer might not be life-threatening it needs to be treated as early as possible.

"Some people end up having to have some very disfiguring surgery in order to have the tumour removed.

"The tumours grow slowly but very invasively and can cause a huge amount of damage to the skin and surrounding structures, such as noses.

"People going skiing should make sure they apply a minimum factor 15 lotion, stronger if possible, 10 minutes before going out. Even though the air temperature may be cold and there is a breeze on the skin the ultraviolet rays from the sun are still very strong.

"Skiers tend to be outdoors most of the day and so are exposed for long periods of time."

Thelma Banks, 88, from Aylestone, has had two tumours removed in the past 18 months.

As a child she spent much of her time outdoors and for the past seventeen years has spent time in Portugal.

She said: "My family were farmers and I was always outside. Since then I developed psoriasis – a skin condition – and the sun helps ease it.

"It was quite a shock to suddenly be told I had this skin cancer.

"The doctor spotted it, I had put it down to the psoriasis."

The first tumour was found on Mrs Banks' arm and two weeks ago she had a second tumour removed from her face.

She said: "I love gardening and swimming, especially in Portugal and having the tumours removed has made me make sure I put on a very high factor sun lotion when I am outside. I would urge everyone to do the same."

Luis Moreno-Ocampo Skiing Fifa Middle East Radio 4 Poland