​Skin cancer survivor is new face of campaign

A mum of three from Glasgow is vowing never to use sunbeds again after beating skin cancer.

And brave Caroline Begg is now calling on Scots to join the fight against the disease after becoming the new face of a new Cancer Research UK campaign.

Caroline is urging mums, sisters, friends and daughters to sign up for a Race for Life 5K, 10K or Pretty Muddy event in Scotland this spring to help raise funds to tackle the cancer.

Striking a defiant pose with battle stripes on her face and a bold message on her nails spelling out "pink army", Caroline was just 26 when diagnosed with malignant melanoma - the most serious form of skin cancer.

Caroline said: “I’m loving every second of getting battle ready for Race for Life to show cancer that hell hath no fury like a woman in pink.

“By standing together side by side we can all fight back against this devastating disease.

“I could have died all because I wanted a sun tan.

"I have a large scar on my back where they took away a mole that had become cancerous but I know I’m one of the lucky ones.”

Skin cancer rates have quadrupled in Scotland since the 1970s. The latest incidence rates show that in Scotland every year around 1,200 people are now developing malignant melanoma - the most serious form of skin cancer.

This marks a significant change since the mid 1970s when 190 people were diagnosed each year.

Malignant melanoma is now the fifth most common cancer in Scotland and around 180 people in Scotland die from it each year.

Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK spokeswoman in Scotland, said: “Every hour, around three people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland.

“That’s why we are calling on brave ladies across Scotland to help make this year’s Race for Life our best ever. It doesn’t matter how fit or fast you are because Race for Life is not competitive. It’s about an army of women standing shoulder-to-shoulder to take on cancer. We urge women to join Caroline and sign up today.”