Living in the UAE, it’s easy to forget just how unforgiving the sun can be. We tan, we brunch, we weekend at the beach. But there’s a growing concern among local dermatologists that even the most ‘sun-savvy’ residents aren’t fully aware of the risks posed by the region’s intense UV levels and the consequences are showing up in doctors’ offices across the Emirates.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and I’ve seen first-hand how often people overlook the early signs of potentially serious skin damage. And it’s not just the pale-skinned beachgoers at risk. Skin cancer doesn’t discriminate. It affects all skin types, all ages, and both men and women.
According to the UAE National Cancer Registry, skin cancer is now the fourth most common cancer in the country, with around 400 new cases diagnosed annually. That number has doubled over the past decade.
So why the rise? It comes down to habit and awareness. People assume they’re protected because they wore SPF on holiday or tanned safely in Europe. But the UV index here is often extreme year-round. Combine that with a lifestyle that celebrates the outdoors and it’s a perfect storm.
We regularly meet patients who ignored a mole or growth for months, even years, thinking it was nothing. By the time they come in, treatment options are more limited.
What we want is for families to make skin checks a normal part of their health routine. No panic. No drama. Just prevention.
But this needs to be more than a seasonal message. It needs to be a mindset shift.
Too often, families believe that children don’t need sun protection or that darker skin tones are immune. This is a dangerous myth. Sun damage starts in childhood and the earlier we build awareness, the better.
It doesn’t need to be complicated. Start with the ABCDE rule when checking moles:
• Asymmetry
• Border irregularity
• Colour variation
• Diameter (larger than 6mm)
• Evolving over time
And get into the habit of daily sun protection. Yes, even in the car, yes, even indoors. Hats, sunglasses, long sleeves, and high-factor SPF should be staples, not exceptions.
The truth is a mole might just be a mole but sometimes, it’s not. Early detection can save lives. And as a community that prizes wellness, luxury, and lifestyle, shouldn’t skin health be right at the top of that list?
Let’s stop waiting for symptoms. Let’s normalise check-ups. Let’s talk about prevention the way we talk about aesthetics. Because when it comes to skin cancer, silence can be deadly.
