Terrifying test that reveals how likely you are to get skin cancer

Dermatologists have developed a simple, one-minute test that can tell you if you’re likely to develop deadly skin cancer. 

The interactive tool uses information such as postcode, holidays in hot climates, job location and daily habits to assess how likely a person is to encounter the life-threatening disease.

Those with scores between 80 and 100 are likely to suffer severe skin damage and therefore have an above-average risk of getting skin cancer, according to the experts behind the test, from Harley Street Skin Clinic.

Predominately caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays via the sun or sunbeds, experts at Cancer Research UK say 87 per cent of skin cancer cases could be avoided.

Yet a shocking 70 per cent of people in the UK make catastrophic errors when it comes to sun protection, failing to apply sunscreen before spending time in the sun. 

It comes as Cancer Research UK predict there could be as many as 26,500 new cases of melanoma diagnosed a year by 2040—with the incidence rate rising faster than any other common cancer.

Currently, around 17,500 people are diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer— the most dangerous type of the disease—each year.   

According to experts at Harley Street Skin Clinic, signs of sun damage include fine lines and wrinkles, sagging skin, changes in skin texture, hyperpigmentation, sunspots and uneven skin tone. 

To avoid potentially life-threatening sun damage, Sophie Cooper, managing director at the clinic, advises people to check the UV index before heading outside. 

‘The UV index provides essential information to help you plan your outdoor activities to prevent overexposure to the,’ she explained. 

‘The higher the UV index, the greater the potential for skin damage. 

‘With a UV index of 3 or higher, take protective measures such as seeking shade, wearing protective clothing and using sunscreen.’ 

This echoes NHS advice that recommends staying out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, between 11am and 3pm, keeping arms and legs covered and using sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of least 30. 

‘Sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. Sunburn does not just happen on holiday. You can burn in the UK, even when it’s cloudy,’ the site reads. 

When diagnosing melanoma skin cancer, which typically presents as moles that have uneven edges, dermatologists look out for asymmetry, border, colour, diameter and evolving moles, known as the ABCDEs. 

How the cancer is treated depends on whether the cancer has spread, with only a third of patients diagnosed at stage four surviving beyond five years. 

The test comes as patients with the deadliest type of skin cancer are set to be given fast-tracked access to a revolutionary cancer vaccine on the NHS.

The needle-free injection is custom-built for patients to stop their melanoma returning—which experts believe will herald a new era in fighting the disease.

It works by boosting the immune system’s response, helping it to ‘attack’ proteins that are specific to melanoma tumours, preventing them from returning.

Currently, around half of patients diagnosed with melanoma respond to immunotherapy.

But those who don’t are at a higher risk of their cancer getting worse.