New figures from Cancer Research UK have revealed that the number of cancers related to excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and obesity have risen sharply.
Rates of mouth, womb and kidney cancers have all increased over the last decade, many cases of which could have been prevented by leading a healthier life.
Most concerning, however, is the fact that the incidence of melanoma has risen by 40 per cent over the last decade, suggesting that consumers are failing to protect themselves sufficiently against the damaging effects of UV rays.
Sara Hiom, director of health information at Cancer Research UK, said that researchers are "very concerned" by the increasing number of malignant melanoma cases.
"Exposure to UV radiation in sunlight is the main cause of skin cancer. Most cases of this disease could be prevented if people protected themselves in the sun and took care not to burn," she said.
Consumers are urged to visit a doctor as soon as they notice anything unusual with their skin, as
cancer treatment is far more likely to be effective if the disease is caught early.
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