20 Sep 2008

Men less likely to spot melanoma, says study

7:21 am on 20 September 2008

Research suggests men are less likely than women to recognise that they have melanoma.

A study, commissioned by the cancer screening company MoleMap, found men are 10% less likely to identify the skin cancer.

Dermatologist Dr Mark Gray says the results illustrate men's poor interest in their own health, and the fact that it is often more difficult to for them to identify melanomas.

Dr Gray says this is because men are more likely to get moles on harder to inspect areas like the back and torso, and it is often their partners who are first to identify problem moles.

He says men suffer higher rates of skin cancer than women and tend to ignore symptoms, taking longer to seek medical advice.