Health: Skin Cancer

Debate between Lord Prior of Brampton and Baroness Sharples

Wednesday 22nd July 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Prior of Brampton]

The noble Baroness is right but a law was passed in 2010, I think, banning the use of sunbeds on commercial premises by children under the age of 18. That law has had an impact but, in a sense, one can never do too much to raise public awareness, and we should do more.

[Baroness Sharples (Con)]

I have very recently had two areas of skin cancer. If you have any suspicions, is it not absolutely vital to see your doctor?

[Lord Prior of Brampton]

My noble friend makes a very sound point. Harpal Kumar’s task force produced a report entitled Achieving World-Class Cancer Outcomes. If anyone wants a little bit of holiday reading, it is well worth reading at least the three-page letter at the front of the report. He recommends in the report that if a GP has a 3% or greater suspicion of cancer, the person in question should be referred for further investigations.