A skin cancer prevention campaign, launched in June, is urging people not to cook like ‘sausages’ in the sun this summer. Taking the form of a short, animated film featuring sunbathing hotdogs, it is being shown in pharmacies and is spearheaded by la Ligue contre le cancer.
The film warns: "Grilling in the sun causes 80,000 skin cancers and 2,000 deaths per year”. It urges viewers to protect themselves by avoiding exposure between noon and 16:00 in mainland France and wearing tightly woven or UV-treated clothing, sunglasses with a CE3 or CE4 standard and a wide-brimmed hat.
It also reminds people to apply sunscreen with a high protection factor 20 minutes before exposure to the sun, every two hours and after each swim, even in cloudy weather.
Types and symptoms
According to Santé publique France, each year in France between 141,200 and 243,500 skin cancers (cancers de la peau) are diagnosed, including 112,960 to 194,800 caused by excessive UV exposure.
There are two main types:
Melanoma is the one we fear most as it is more serious, but accounts for just 10% of skin cancer diagnoses. It typically shows as changes to a mole, freckle or beauty spot.
If in doubt, get a mole or skin patch checked outEvgeniy Kalinovskiy/Shutterstock
Nearly 18,000 new cases of melanoma were diagnosed in 2023 in France, mostly affecting those aged 50-plus but increasingly appearing in younger patients.
Non-melanoma cancers, also referred to as carcinomes in French, thankfully make up around 90% of skin cancer cases (more than 180,000 per year).
These present as a small patch of skin that seems red or itchy, or a sore that does not seem to heal fully.
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Diagnosis
The national health website, Ameli, strongly encourages patients to consult their GP if they notice any unusual changes on their skin, as early diagnosis dramatically boosts your chances of recovery, for any type of cancer. The doctor can refer you to a dermatologist – a specialist in skin conditions – who might ask about any family history of skin cancer, your exposure to the sun and any symptoms you have already noticed.
Then a visual check will be carried out (for which you will be in your underwear), examining your skin using a magnifying glass or special light to look for any symptoms, including on your scalp. It might feel uncomfortable, but it is not painful.
In certain cases such as a non-melanoma keratosis (keratose), the dermatologist might be able to treat a small lesion immediately, applying liquid nitrogen to ‘freeze’ it just as you might treat a wart.
More serious cases can require a biopsy for further analysis or additional tests including a blood test, MRI or even an ultrasound. These tests will confirm the type of skin cancer involved and ensure you are offered the most effective treatment available. Again, the earlier you consult a medical specialist, the higher your chances of a full recovery.
Will I have to pay?
If your GP has referred you to a dermatologist, you might need to pay a fee, typically around €60, which is usually refunded by your private health insurer. If you are diagnosed with a serious form of skin cancer that requires ongoing treatment, your condition will be classed as a long-term illness or ALD in French (affection de longue durée). In this case, the cost of treatments is covered 100%, based on the rates set by the Sécurité Sociale. Optional, more expensive, treatments might not be refunded so check with your CPAM or equivalent, or your private health insurer.
For more information
If in any doubt about a mole, beauty spot or patch of skin, go and see your GP, who can either refer you or reassure you.
