Three cases of skin cancer have been detected by Brentwood's Court House Clinic since it opened just three months ago.

The patients were unaware there was a serious problem and were positively diagnosed after visiting the clinic about wrinkles.

The blatant message from consultants who spoke at a public meeting at the New Road clinic was that sunbeds should not be used and white people should not sunbathe.

Dr Michael Catterall, consultant dermatologist at the St Andrew's Centre in Broomfield Hospital, said: "I find it very difficult to understand why people want to use sunbeds.

"We know brown is beautiful, but I don't think that white people should ever sunbathe."

Some local authorities have banned sunbeds but demand is still prevalent.

Dr Patrick Bowler of the Court House Clinic, said: "It's a bit like trying to tell people not to smoke. Some go away and do something, some think about it and don't do anything, others don't even think about it."

Dr Catterall revealed during a slide show that there are 40,000 cases of skin cancer in Britain every year and 80 per cent of these are preventable by avoiding over-exposure to sunlight.

The last 10 years has seen an alarming increase in the number of skin cancers diagnosed in the UK and the most worrying fact is that those affected are getting younger.

There are three types of skin cancer, the most common are basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, which are easily treated and rarely fatal.

Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous form. Tumours start as small brown or black marks on the skin but can be cured in the early stages.

Dr Catterall said that skin protection has come a long way since 1979 when there were just two brands of sunscreen on the market. They were Uvistat factor two and Spectra Ban, factor four.

Dr Catterall recommends not using anything lower than factor 15, he said: "Now more and more people are realising what they ought to be doing is using sunscreen in all weathers and some cosmetics are incorporating them."

Also talking to the public was Mark Gittos a plastic surgeon at the St Andrew's Centre, which is the biggest centre of its kind in the country.

He said if it was up to him he would ban sunbeds: "Sunbeds are one of the important unvisited health issues of the last decade. I would ban them.

"People are not informed enough. It is a far more important issue than things like breast implants. Sunbeds are the best way to age the elasticity of the skin. I have seen people in their late 20s look like they're 40."

Ironically, plastic surgeons use wrinkles formed from over-exposure to sun to hide scars of melanoma removal.

If you would like advice about skin cancer contact the Court House Clinic on 01277 203000.

Skin deep: from left, Medical Director of Court House Clinic Dr Patrick Bowler, consultant plastic surgeon Mark Gittos and consultant dermatologist Dr Michael Catterall.

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