
Carol Vorderman: Why my skin cancer scare means I no longer sunbathe
Carol Vorderman was well and truly a sun worshipper growing up. “Oh God, yes. I was burning away merrily for many, many years,” she remembers with a groan. The former Countdown presenter, 62, says her generation was the first to really become obsessed with the sun. “I’m of the generation where we started to sunbathe – my mother’s generation didn’t. We were also caught in the formative years, the 60s, 70s, 80s, where we had absolutely no idea of what sun protection was – you just couldn’t buy it. I think it was the 90s that began,” she explains. “So in all of our youth we were encouraging each other to sunbathe doused in cooking oil.” Vorderman remembers the ways people would try and boost their tan – from sunbathing surrounded by metal foil (so you could “get all the rays of the sun” and “burn nicely”) to discovering sunbeds (“we thought they were marvellous”) – and she was particularly keen on soaking up as much of the sun as possible, as she grew up by the sea. She says anyone her age “will remember all that”, but now “we know the dangers”. Vorderman is unsurprised by Cancer Research UK’s latest statistics, showing melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK have reached an all-time high. According to the charity, 17,500 cases are diagnosed every year, with projections suggesting the numbers could increase by 50% over the next 20 years. Research suggests people around Vorderman’s age are increasingly affected, with the probability of people aged 55 and older getting skin cancer almost tripling since the 1990s. Bristol-based Vorderman herself had a scare when she was around 50. She was concerned by some changes in her skin, so went to see a dermatologist – who sent off a biopsy for testing, with results revealing the cells were precancerous. The presenter is at pains to emphasise she doesn’t want people to feel sorry for her – “I had no symptoms, nothing like that” and the cells were removed – but she’s instead trying to highlight how crucial it is to be sun safe. “What I do now is I’ve had a check-up every year, all over, ever since,” she says – and that isn’t the only change she’s made. “I slather myself in SPF at all opportunities. In many ways, the damage is already done, but I don’t sunbathe now, or I cover myself up.” Vorderman has teamed up with Boots brand Soltan and Macmillan Cancer Support on a sun-safety campaign, and her efforts to raise awareness around the issue aren’t just inspired by her own experiences. Her mother died in 2017 after suffering from three types of cancer – the third being melanoma. “Not a single time in her life did she sunbathe – my mum had a different skin to me, she had moles, I don’t,” Vorderman says. “I know that makes you much more prone to melanomas.” Cancer Research UK cites a study that found melanoma risk was higher in people with more than 100 moles compared with people who have fewer than 15 moles. For Vorderman, talking about these issues, whether publicly or among friends, is key. “It’s part of life. The more we talk about it, the better it is – as with everything. It’s like talking about the menopause, talking about women’s issues, talking about all sorts of cancers… As we know with all cancers, the sooner you can have something checked, the better the outcome should be.” Vorderman has in recent years made a name for herself for posting her unfiltered political beliefs on social media, and whether it’s talking about politics or causes close to her heart, she won’t back down. “I’ve always been pretty confident, but now you get to a point in life where you think – I feel strongly about things as they stand in this country at the moment. I’ve never known anything as bad. I think everyone should speak out.” She believes in the old saying: ‘The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to say nothing’, adding: “I take that with me.” Broadcaster and author Carol Vorderman MBE is working with Boots brand Soltan, which is joining forces with Macmillan Cancer Support for the second year running, as its official sun-safety partner.
2023-07-24 16:46

China’s Bustling Car Market Is a Rare Black Mark on Hyundai’s Blockbuster Year
Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Corp. are having a blockbuster year, posting record profits as sales
2023-08-24 06:24

US surgeons say pig kidney functional in human for more than a month
US surgeons who transplanted a genetically-modified pig kidney into a brain dead patient said Wednesday it was still working well after a record 32 days -- a significant step in the...
2023-08-17 01:57

This lifetime Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office bundle is on sale for 88% off
TL;DR: The Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows Lifetime License and Windows 11 Pro Bundle
2023-07-23 12:27

K-pop Fans Are Fighting Big Coal to Protect Beach Made Famous by BTS
As heavy rains pummeled South Korea last month, K-pop fans braved stormy conditions to stage a protest on
2023-08-03 06:21

Chelsea Peretti on her directorial debut 'First Time Female Director,' premiering at Tribeca
Chelsea Peretti plays a first-time director in her directorial debut, “First Time Female Director.”
2023-06-10 03:48

F1 Grand Prix – live: Lewis Hamilton reacts after Imola race cancelled
Lewis Hamilton said the right decision has been taken to cancel this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix amid severe flooding in the region. Formula One boss Stefano Domenicali took the decision to call off the sixth round of the season in northern Italy following an emergency meeting with local authorities and race officials on Wednesday. COMMENT: Why Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes are the biggest losers from Imola cancellation “Hoping everyone in Emilia Romagna is able to stay safe and look out for each other right now,” said Hamilton, who was deeply critical of F1’s decision to travel to Melbourne amid the outbreak of the global pandemic three years ago. “Thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy and the amazing emergency services working on the ground. We were getting ramped up for the weekend and excited to get going but this is definitely the right decision. We wish we could be racing. But I know we all understand that safety comes first. I can’t wait to see you all at the next race.” Read More Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes are the biggest losers from Imola Grand Prix cancellation Will Imola Grand Prix be rescheduled? F1 Imola Grand Prix cancelled
2023-05-18 17:18

Income too high for Medicaid? ‘Spend down’ to qualify
Making more than the maximum income level for Medicaid isn’t necessarily a deal breaker
2023-09-13 21:23

Theme parks bounced back in 2022 from pandemic lows with revenue, if not attendance
Last year marked a return to normal for the theme park industry around the world with operators reporting revenues at par or above pre-pandemic levels
2023-06-16 00:16

Who is Jacquelyn Jablonski? Harry Styles enjoys Italian getaway with Victoria's Secret model pal
Harry Styles and Jacquelyn Jablonski were joined by the model's fiance, who is also a close friend of the singer
2023-07-29 14:17

Stay connected in an emergency with this multi-tasking radio, now $100 off
TL;DR: As of September 26, get the Eton Elite Executive AM/FM/Aircraft Band/SSB/Shortwave Radio for only
2023-09-26 17:57

Your Horoscope This Week: October 23 to October 28
Scorpio Season starts this Monday, and the final eclipse of the Taurus-Scorpio axis strikes on October 28th. We’re nearing the end of a two-year cycle of potent evolution, and with the ongoing global revolution occurring this eclipse is quite timely as it will awaken us to the shadow work we must navigate in order to transmute personal and collective pain into healing. This eclipse week, it’s essential to treat ourselves and others with tremendous kindness, compassion, respect, and empathy — even if, or especially if, we may have differing viewpoints.
2023-10-22 19:46
You Might Like...

Grab a new pair of Sony headphones, speakers, or earbuds, on sale now at Amazon

Fast fashion retailer Shein accused of racketeering and copyright infringement in lawsuit

Kanye West's Roman holiday with wife Bianca Censori continues to cause outrage

Pope health in focus ahead of global Catholic festival in Lisbon

Lost for centuries, Emperor Nero's theater is unearthed in Rome

'Janet Planet' review: Annie Baker's mother-daughter story is a quiet marvel

This Magnetic Putty Is An Aesthetically Pleasing Fidget Toy — & 20% Off

The Roomba Combo j7+ is pretty good at cleaning and really good at not eating phone chargers