The Marie Keating Foundation is urging the public to be ‘SunSmart’ this weekend.
The appeal comes as forecasts predict temperatures as high as 27C in some areas across Ireland.
Skin cancer is Ireland’s most common cancer affecting over 13,000 people per year.
You can prevent sun cancer by:
- Receiving proper education around how to protect our skin from the sun’s damaging UV rays;
- Avoiding unsafe skin practices,
Bernie Carter, assistant director of nursing services, Marie Keating Foundation, said:
“News of this weekend’s good weather is understandably exciting for many, as we all make plans to meet friends and family outdoors and enjoy time together after so much time apart.”
“However, it is essential that we do not put our skin and future health at risk for the sake of an afternoon in the park.”
“When detected early, skin cancer and melanoma are very treatable. But the important thing to note about skin cancer is that it can be prevented by making small changes to your daily routine, which in the long run will have a significant impact on your cancer risk.”
5 S’s of the SunSmart
By following the 5 S’s of the SunSmart code, you can enjoy the heatwave and precious time outdoors this summer safely.
The 5 S’s of the SunSmart code are:
- Slop on sunscreen with a good UV rating and factor 30+ – by wearing sunscreen every day and remembering to reapply, you are protecting your skin no matter the weather;
- Slip-on sun-protective clothing – When spending time outdoors, wear clothes that cover your skin. These include hats and anything with long sleeves to help reduce the impact of the sun’s rays on unprotected skin;
- Slap on a wide-brimmed hat– Wearing a hat can help to protect the skin on your face, neck and ears from direct sun exposure and will help to reduce your risk of skin cancer;
- Slide on sunglasses – protect your eyes from the suns glare by sliding on a pair of sunglasses with UV protection;
- Seek shade – This is especially important if you are outdoors between 11 am and 3 pm when the sun is at its peak.
Sunscreen
“When it comes to sunscreen, in particular, there are lots of misconceptions and a lack of understanding around what is considered safe.”
It is key that you look for a brand that offers both good levels of UVA and UVB protection and is ideally of a high sun protection factor (minimum factor 30).
“There are also many myths around how much sunscreen to apply and how long it lasts.”
“It is key that people get a better understanding, as rates of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, are on the rise.”
