It's May and summer is creeping up on us. The winter wardrobe is close to being tucked away for another year but that means more of our pasty white limbs become exposed.

Unfortunately the need to add some colour to our lilywhite English bodies is driving many of us to seek the help of imitation UV rays before we hit the beach.

Everything in moderation, you may say, but not according to the International Agency for Research into Cancer (IARC).

It recently revealed shocking figures that people who start using sunbeds under the age of 35 increase the risk of developing skin cancer by 75 per cent – a disease which affects more than 300 people in the North East every year.

But it's not just sunbeds that are to blame – the vast majority of skin cancers are caused by excess exposure to the sun.

Incredibly, more than four out of five cases of skin cancer are thought to be preventable, according to the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) – which means that the damage we cause to our skin is more often than not self-inflicted.

Dermatologist Dr Catherine Blasdale deals with different forms of skin cancer every day at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

She actively supports the Sun Awareness campaign run by BAD, which is taking place all this week.

"We are definitely seeing more cases of skin cancer than ever before, which is partly due to people living longer, but we are also seeing more cases among young people and these cases are set to double over the next 10 to 20 years." Dr Blasdale said.

"I don't think people are aware of the risks and they don't realise that there are different types of skin cancer.

"Malignant melanoma is the most serious and can kill you but there are other non-melanoma skin cancers which can leave your skin permanently scarred."

It is the younger generation who are beginning to suffer and the Government has been called on to put legislation in place to restrict the age of those able to use sunbeds.

Dr Blasdale said: "Skin cancer could definitely be prevented. Restrictions in tanning salons would be a great step forward and if the government supports these restrictions this would make a big difference.

"The BAD advises against sun beds completely whatever your age and there are so many safe alternatives available.

"Sunbeds carry the same cancer risk as sitting out in midday sun in Europe."

The BAD Sun Awareness campaign aims to educate the public and health professionals on early detection of skin cancer.

It also advises members of the public where to go to seek help should they be concerned about their skin.

Dr Blasdale said: "People are often not aware what to look for which is why BAD have created the ABCD easy guide to mole checks.

"Don't be afraid to report any new spots that come up to your GP. It can happen to anyone even young people in their 20s .

"People have got to treat their skin with respect, we only get one skin so you need to look after it."

* For more information on skin cancer and the Sun Awareness campaign go to www.bad.org.uk

A visit to the doctor could save your life

Nicola's story

"I WILL never, ever use a sunbed again." Nicola York, 32, is adamant.

"I have quite a lot of moles but last year I noticed while putting on moisturiser that one on the back of my leg had become raised."

Nicola, from Roker, realised that the mole on the back of her leg was changing – initially it became raised and then it turned from brown to black.

"I was on holiday in June last year, I had noticed the mole but then my husband, Steven, pointed it out and told me I should get it checked out when we got home.

"I planned to but I was really busy with my two children and work so it wasn't until September that I asked a doctor to take a look.

"The appointment was actually for my daughter Daisy but I decided to raise the issue of my mole while I was there."

Nicola works as an admin assistant for Sunderland City Council. She lives with her husband Steven, who is a joiner, and has two young children, Sam, aged four and Daisy, aged one and a half.

After her GP examined the mole she was referred to Bunny Hill walk-in clinic in Sunderland for a consultation.

"During the consultation the doctor decided to take the mole away and they found that it was abnormal. I was then referred to Dr Blasdale at Sunderland Royal Hospital."

Dr Blasdale gave her the news that the mole on the back of her knee was malignant melanoma. It couldn't have come at a worse time for Nicola.

"I had a lot going on. My dad had died the week before so when I found out it was malignant melanoma I didn't give it much thought. It was all a bit of a blur.

"When I told my mam it was cancerous, she had just lost my dad so it was a bit horrendous for her at the time.

"My husband was really great though. I would have suffered a lot more if wasn't for him, he is such a positive person."

Dr Blasdale decided that a piece of Nicola's skin where the mole had been needed to be removed as some of the melanoma had been left behind.

The skin, measuring four inches in diameter, was taken from the back of Nicola's knee under local anaesthetic.

"Dr Blasdale warned me that there was an 80 per cent chance the cancer had gone deeper but it hadn't. I had a CT scan to make sure and there is just a scar there now.

"I was dealt with, within a month. Dr Blasdale and all of the nursing staff were fantastic.

"They answered any questions I had and they really put my mind at rest."

There was no reason that could be pinpointed for causing the change in Nicola's mole. She had used sunbeds but only a couple of times before going on holiday, thinking it would protect her skin from the sun.

"When I was younger using suncream wasn't a priority and I did burn, but you don't think what the consequences can be later in life. I didn't think there was any point making an appointment just for a mole. But in hindsight now I would not hesitate if I thought there was a change in one of my moles."

Nicola receives a check-up every three months so she can be monitored closely. She said: "I caught mine early it could have been much worse. If you're concerned about anything on your skin just go to the doctors. It will put your mind at rest."

Telltale signs

The British Association of Dermatologists have created the ABCD-Easy guide to mole checks, to detect the signs of melanoma, look out for:

* Asymmetry – the two halves of the area may differ in shape.

* Border – the edges of the area may be irregular or blurred, and sometimes show notches.

* Colour – this may be uneven. Different shades of black, brown and pink may be seen.

* Diameter – most melanomas are at least 6mm in diameter. Report any change in size, shape or diameter to your doctor

* Expert – if in doubt, check it out. If your GP is concerned about your skin, make sure you see a consultant dermatologist, your GP can refer you via the NHS.

Causes of skin cancer

Excessive UV exposure is the main cause of both kinds of skin cancer. Other factors that increase skin cancer risk are:

*People with light eyes or hair, who sunburn easily or do not tan.
* People with a lot of moles, unusually shaped or large moles or a lot of freckles.
*A history of sunburn doubles the risk of melanoma.

Fake tans on trial

How do you keep a year-round summer glow without the aid of damaging UV rays?

There are plenty of sunless tanning products available and some are better than others, but the girls in the office have tested a few of the leading brands and here are our favourites.

Babyliss Beach Bronze (£60)

Do not attempt to use this tanning machine by yourself as it requires a bit of a tag team effort (and practice) to get the desired effect.

As long as you keep the spray moving you shouldn't create any dark patches. The final colour is great and it gives your skin the lift it needs.

The main advantage of this machine is you avoid orange palms and if you get a friend to help it requires minimal effort on your part.

Matis Self Tanning Body Spray (£16.19)

This smelt a bit horrible but was very easy to apply. The spray made it easy to reach the tricky spots, like the back of my legs.

It absorbed very quickly with little fuss.

The tan was quite subtle and I applied it twice before I was happy, but overall I was very pleased with the result, which was an even coverage and a nice believable colour.

Xen-Tan Body Scrub (£12.95) and Tanning Mousse (£21.95)

After using the body scrub, which has a mint scent, the tanning mousse glided over my body.

It dried within minutes and the moisturising ingredients left my skin feeling silky and smooth.

Although the mousse has a smell similar to marzipan, this faded when I applied it.

Xen-tan is ideal for people with fair skin.

Rodial Brazilian Tan Dark (£39.99)

This tan was very easy to apply and the colour was instant.

But it grew darker over a few hours so I would not recommend it to anyone fair- skinned.

For a false tan the smell was inoffensive, unlike some products which carry a hint of wet dog around with them.

It is a bit pricey but for an instant streak-free tan it is worth it.

Sun Laboratories Instant spray tan (£15.50)

Warning – this stuff gets everywhere!

If you decide to give it a go I recommend that you stand out in the garden, as this tan and a cream bedroom do not mix, as I found out.

However, it smells great and once you get used to the spray the final results are pretty good.

Make sure you have one of the Sun Lab applicator mitts (£4) on hand to blend any accidental dark spots you create by spraying to close to your skin.

Liz Earle Sun Shade Botanical Self-Tan Spray (£15.50)

This self-tan spray definitely smelled the best after application.
It left the skin with a subtle colour change which is perfect for the fair skinned.

It gives you a more realistic colour than some of the darker self tans that I tested.

Lancome Flash Bronzer face (£19.50) and body (£19.50)

Don't buy one without the other because this product is fantastic.

They both smell great, are easy to apply and leave your skin streak free.

I particularly liked this product because it did not dry out my skin, which was a problem I found with some of the other tans.

Bronzers:

It's easy to forget about your face when you're coating your limbs in chocolate-coloured creams.

But these products are great, they smell nice, apply easily and leave you with a subtle glow which can be enhanced by adding a few coats.

Pop the Loreal Sublime Bronze Illuminating Self-Tanning face cream (£12.99) on before you apply foundation.

It darkens your skin just enough to match up with the tan you choose for your body.

Highlight your cheeks or blend the powder with the rest of your face with these gorgeous bronzers by Urban Decay (£14) and Too Faced (£18).

Both are subtle but they are a great finishing touch for that sunkissed look.