To ask the Minister of Health (i) for his assessment of current melanoma rates in Northern Ireland; and (ii) what steps he has taken to both reduce rates and treat melanoma.

In Northern Ireland, the current incidence of skin cancer has been rising in recent decades and it is now the most common form of cancer. Northern Ireland Cancer Registry’s most recent figures on malignant melanoma indicate that at the end of 2019, there were 4,787 people (Males: 1,914; Females: 2,873) with malignant melanoma who had been diagnosed in Northern Ireland during 1995 to 2019.

My Department’s Health Improvement Policy Branch launched a Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy for Northern Ireland in 2011, which aimed to reduce the incidences and deaths from skin cancer. While skin cancer is now the most common form of cancer in Northern Ireland, in the majority of cases it can be effectively treated if detected at an early stage.

The Strategy identifies children and young adults, as well as people who spend a significant amount of time outdoors, as key target groups. Over exposure to UV radiation is widely accepted as the underlying cause for skin cancer and experts believe that four out of five cases could be prevented by adopting simple precautions. Skin cancer prevention initiatives have included general “care in the sun” awareness raising; specific targeting of at-risk groups such as outdoor workers and sports clubs; educational resources for schools and for summer schemes.

A mid-term review of the Strategy was completed in April 2017. Overall, the review found that significant progress had been made in terms of implementing the strategy and action plan during the period 2011/12 to 2016/17. However, given the nature of skin cancer and long lead in period, rates remain high and are predicted to increase. An extension to the Strategy (which was due to expire in July 2021) was agreed to allow for an end review to take place when pressures allow.

In addition, the Sunbeds Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 provided for tighter regulation of sunbeds and in particular, prohibits the use, sale or hire of a sunbed to anyone under the age of 18.