Pensioners are seven times more likely to develop serious skin cancer today than they were 40 years ago , research shows . Decades of cheap package holidays mean that thousands of retired people every year are paying with their health for sunburn they experienced in their youth . According to Cancer Research UK , men aged 65 and over are around ten times more likely to be diagnosed with malignant melanoma than those of their parents ’ generation . Scroll down for video . Pensioners are seven times more likely to develop serious skin cancer today than they were 40 years ago , research shows . And older women are about five times more likely to develop this disease than someone of the same age were in the mid-1970s . Around 5,700 pensioners are now diagnosed with melanoma each year in the UK compared with just 600 a year four decades ago . Many of the patients being diagnosed today suffered cancer-causing sunburn when they were young , experts said last night . Although age is a major risk factor for melanoma , the huge increase is blamed on the cheap package holiday boom dating from the 1960s . Overall , 55.2 of every 100,000 people aged over 65 are diagnosed with skin cancer every year . In 1975 just 7.9 per 100,000 were diagnosed - a seven-fold increase . The figures are part of a worrying increase in incidents that affects all age groups . The continuing obsession with sporting a tan means the toll is likely to keep rising . Getting sunburnt once every two years can triple a person ’ s risk of developing the disease , scientists suggest . Getting sunburnt once every two years can triple a person ’ s risk of developing the disease , scientists suggest . Around 13,300 people across a wide range of ages are diagnosed with malignant melanoma in the UK each year making it the country ’ s fifth most common cancer overall and the second most common cancer in young adults aged 15 to 34 . And with sunbeds still very popular , the number of diagnoses is expected to rise to 20,000 a year by 2027 . In 1975 the figure was just 1,800 . Professor Richard Marais , Cancer Research UK ’ s skin cancer expert : ‘ It ’ s worrying to see melanoma rates increasing at such a fast pace , and across all age groups . ‘ It ’ s very important for people to take care of their skin in the sun . ‘ It ’ s also important for them to keep an eye on their skin and seek medical opinion if they see any changes to their moles , or even to normal areas of skin . ‘ Melanoma is often detected on men ’ s backs and women ’ s legs but can appear on any part of the body. ’ Each year , 2,100 Britons die from the disease . Dr Julie Sharp , Cancer Research UK ’ s head of health information , said : ‘ Many cases of malignant melanoma , the most serious form of skin cancer , are preventable by taking precautions in the sun and making sure you don ’ t burn . ‘ Sun damage accumulates over time so avoiding sunburn - and sunbeds - is key , as well as getting to know your skin type so you don ’ t overdo it on the beach or even in the garden . ‘ You can burn at home just as easily as you can on holiday , so remember to spend time in the shade , wear a T shirt and a hat to protect your skin and regularly apply sunscreen that is at least Factor 15 and has four stars . ‘ Swapping bad sun habits for good ones could save your life. ’ Sue Deans , a 69-year-old retired teacher and mother-of-three from Croydon , south London , who was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in 2000 after having a mole removed , said : ‘ I was part of the generation where package holidays became affordable and you could go abroad nearly every year . ‘ I don ’ t think there was much understanding at the time about the impact that too much sun can have on your risk of getting skin cancer . ‘ And I loved the sun but suffered quite a bit of sunburn over the years . ‘ I ’ ve always been quite body aware so my cancer was spotted early . ‘ I had successful surgery and have been healthy since , but I ’ m always vigilant in keeping an eye out for anything unusual or persistent that might need to be checked . ‘ Now I make sure my grandson knows the dangers of getting caught out in the sun . ’
Decades of cheap holidays means retirees are paying for sunburn in youth . Men over 65 ten times more likely to have disease than parents ' generation . Comment: