NNUH dermatologist gives festival goers mole and sun advice

A dermatologist from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) will be on hand offering skin cancer and sun protection advice to people attending the Latitude festival in Suffolk this weekend.

The 2013 ‘Be Sun Aware’ Mole and Sun Advice Roadshow supported by the British Association of Dermatologists and sun protection and skincare brand, La Roche-Posay, is being staged at high profile festival events across the UK including the Latitude Festival in Suffolk from 18th to 21st July. Thousands of members of the public will be provided with free mole and sun-care advice from expert dermatologists and nurses including Dr Nick Levell, consultant dermatologist at NNUH. They will also be given complimentary La Roche-Posay sunscreen, in a bid to make people aware of skin cancer risks and how to enjoy the sun safely.

Dr Nick Levell, Consultant Dermatologist and committee member of the British Association of Dermatologists, said: “We want people to have fun at Latitude but also to look after themselves so that they can have fun for years to come. It looks like it’s going to be a lovely sunny hot weekend so we’d encourage people going to the festival to slap on the sun cream and wear a hat to protect themselves. It will be a great weekend and I’m really looking forward to it.”

During the 2012 Latitude Festival, 207 people had a free mole and sun-care one to one advice sessions with a dermatologist of whom 16 (7 female and 9 male) were recommended to see their GP for further investigation. 80% of the Latitude Festival goers who visited the roadshow were under the age of 50.

2012 Survey Findings

1350 people attending the 2012 Mole and Sun Advice Roadshow were asked about skin cancer and sun safety. 181 of the 1,350 people attending the 2012 roadshow were advised to seek further advice from their doctor. 80% infrequently or never checked their skin for signs of skin cancer, despite this being the UK’s most common cancer type. Furthermore, 69% admitted they have no idea what to look for even if they were to check their skin.

Dr Nick Levell will be at Latitude on Saturday all day and Sunday morning.

For more information about the 2013 ‘Be Sun Aware’ Mole and Sun Advice Roadshow visit www.besunaware.com

Notes for editors

About the British Association of Dermatologists
The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) is the central association of practising UK dermatologists. Our aim is to continually improve the treatment and understanding of skin disease. The BAD provides free patient information on skin diseases and runs a number of high profile campaigns, including Sun Awareness, which runs from May to September annually and includes national Sun Awareness Week in May. Website: www.bad.org.uk/sunawareness