Skin cancer is one of the most common skin diseases in the Netherlands and the most common form of cancer. Many Dutch people have an increased risk of developing a form of skin cancer. Despite this, not much is known about it by most people. We list a number of facts for you.

Did you know:

…At the moment there are about 70,000 new patients with skin cancer in the Netherlands every year and that this number will increase even more in the coming years?

…The chance that a person will get skin cancer during his/her life is currently 1 in 5? This is even going towards 1 in 4.

…Despite this many people think that they will probably not get the disease?

…In women a melanoma is more common on the legs? This is because women start wearing skirts at the first rays of the sun and the skin is still unprotected.

…In men a melanoma is more common on the back? This is because men take off their shirts at the first rays of the sun and the skin is still unprotected.

…Are freckles a form of sun damage? Keep this in mind: no baby is born with freckles.

…Self-tanning creams give the skin a tan but do not protect against sunburn? You still have to use sunscreen.

…Are Sunscreens Safe? In the media there has been a lot of attention about the relationship between sunscreen products and the development of cancer. All sunscreen products in the Netherlands must comply with EU guidelines. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sees no reason to doubt the safety of sunscreen creams.