1. Partnerships for Policy Action Introduction
Gerry McElwee
A recent study carried out in Northern Ireland highlighted major differences in what skin type we think we have and which type we actually have, with 60% of people believing themselves to be skin type 3 or above and over 30% stating they were type 5 or 6. The reality is that the vast majority of the native population in Northern Ireland have either skin type 1or 2 – the high risk groups for skin cancer.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Northern Ireland. Non melanoma skin cancer(27%) + Malignant melanoma (3%) account for over 30% of all cancers diagnosed each year in Northern Ireland.
4095 people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year (377 MM NMS) – that means on average over 11 people every day are told they have skin cancer. The rate of skin cancer is increasing year on year and has almost trebled since the 1980s.
yr average incidences/deaths:
MM 377 cases pa or 20.5 cases per 100,000 population pa
NMS 3718 cases pa or 210 per 100,000 population pa
MM+NMS 73 people pa or 3.9 per 100,000 population pa

2. Skin cancer prevention strategy
Dept of Health Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy & Action Plan
-Overall long-term aim is to reduce the incidence of skin cancer and deaths from it among people in Northern Ireland
-Objectives
Raise public awareness about the risks of overexposure to UV from sun and sunbeds
Reduce the use of sunbeds
Increase individual and organisational practice of sun safety behaviours
Increase awareness about the early signs of skin cancer and the need for prompt action
Encourage earlier detection and treatment of malignant melanoma
Promote further research into knowledge, attitudes and behaviour and epidemiology of skin cancer
-targets are to
↑ proportion of men who take protective measures in the sun
↑ proportion of population who check their skin regularly
↓ proportion of year olds using sunbeds

3. Making it happen PHA Dept of Health Health Trusts Employers GPs HSENI
Pharmacy
Sport NI
Cancer Focus NI
District Councils
HSENI
Employers
Schools & Ed sector
NI Cancer Registry
Strategy Implementation Group co-chaired by PHA & Cancer Focus; 4 Subgroups; Strategy Co-ordinator
Engaging with a range of key stakeholders is essential

4. Implementation