As the summer gets closer, a skin cancer expert warned Bermudians of the dangers of exposure to the sun.

Just a few minutes in the mid-day sun can lead to serious repercussions, leading American dermatologist Dr. David Jones stressed.

Speaking at an event organised by Bermuda TB, Cancer and Health Association, Dr. Jones also pointed out to up to 100 guests the tell-tale signs of skin cancer so potential sufferers can detect the disease as quickly as possible.

Dr. Jones said the sooner it can be spotted, the better the chances of tackling it successfully.

The most general symptom is an unusual growth on the skin, such as a patch of the wrong colour or a non-healing ulcer.

“If you see anything at all unusual, you should get it checked out straight away,” said Dr. Jones.

Latest figures show more than half of all new cancers are skin-related, with more than one million new cases diagnosed in the US every year. Dr. Jones said the best advice was to keep in the shade and wear clothing such as sun hats.

Modern sun blocks can be very effective, he said, but they should be used principally as a back-up plan. People who burn easily are particularly susceptible to cancer, added the doctor.

Dr. Jones is a dermatologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, where he has treated skin conditions for the past decade.

At the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, he also gave advice about other skin conditions including psoriasis, eczema and acne. Eczema can be caused by exposure to certain chemicals, he said, but doctors can often tackle them with appropriate creams.

Acne is commonly thought of as a teenagers’ condition, but can also affect adults.

Dr. Jones said it was a myth that certain foods, or dirty oil on the skin, cause the problem. He assured sufferers it was treatable if they report it to their doctor.