Action Cancer warns: "don't underestimate the strength of the sun"
The message comes as the first ever amber weather warning for heat is in place for Northern Ireland
One of Northern Ireland’s leading cancer charities has issued a stark warning about staying safe in the sun.
Action Cancer has urged people not to underestimate the strength of UV rays as it launched this year’s Safe Sun campaign in collaboration with Gordons Chemist.
The organisation has said at a time when travel is restricted, and people are holidaying at home it is important people understand sun protection here is just as important as it would be abroad.
According to the charity skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in NI.
Each year around 4,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer and 387 develop the most serious type of skin cancer, known as malignant melanoma.
A total of 93 people die from melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer every year.
The statistics also show that incidence of skin cancer is increasing across the country with men being at a greater risk than women of developing the disease.
Connor Graham, Action Cancer’s Skin Cancer Ambassador, was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 35.
Connor has highlighted how important it is for people respect the sun.
He said: “When I was younger, I took such a relaxed attitude and I’m regretful of that now. I used to think it wasn’t a good day on the golf course unless I came home burnt.
“I wish I had taken it all more seriously.
“My diagnosis came when a mole on my arm became itchy and raised. It had turned into a malignant melanoma.
“Thankfully because I contacted my GP, the cancer was caught at an early and treatable stage.
“I still bear the physical scar on my arm from the extraction and mentally I’ve really struggled to cope with my diagnosis.
“Action Cancer’s counselling service has been a godsend to me in helping me overcome the ‘what ifs?’.
“As a Surveyor I work outdoors and would like to encourage all outdoor workers to follow the sun safety advice and to check your skin monthly for changes.
“Early detection saves lives.”
Geraldine Kerr, Action Cancer’s Head of Professional Services, has encouraged people to protect themselves and their families during this mini heatwave and throughout the summer.
She said: “The use of a high factor sun cream, covering up and staying out of the sun in the middle of the day, are all key to reducing your risk.”
Melanie Talbot, Gordons Chemists’ Marketing Manager, added: “Gordons Chemists is proud to support Action Cancer in delivering its Safe Sun message.
“Our community pharmacists have been at the forefront of service delivery during the pandemic and are here to offer sun safety advice to our customers across all our stores in Northern Ireland.”
Here is Action Cancers tips for staying safe in the sun:
PREVENTION
It is important to protect your skin from damage from the UV rays from the sun and sunbeds, which is what causes the damage to our skin.
• Use sun cream – use a sun cream with a high SPF and UV star rating for maximum protection and reapply frequently (every 2hrs) throughout the day.
• Use the shade – especially between 11am and 3pm when the sun is at its strongest.
• Wear protective clothing that will protect your skin from the sun.
• Check the UV index before spending any time in the sun (usually included in the weather forecast). Anything above 3, protection is recommended.
• Never use sunbeds – they expose your skin to high levels of UV rays. Even using a sunbed once can increase your risk of melanoma by 20%!
• Wear sun cream on your hands before getting your nails done at the beauty salon, if they use a UV lamp to set the polish!
DETECTION
Remember to check your skin! Regularly! Once a month.
Remember your ABCD for your self-examination:
• Asymmetry – is the mole unsymmetrical or changed in size?
• Border – are the boarders of the mole irregular or ragged?
• Colour – does the colour of the mole vary throughout or changed in colour (darker or patchier)?
• Diameter – is it larger than 6mm (the size of a pencil rubber)?
Also look for inflammation, itching, pain, bleeding, or crusting.
If you notice any of these changes, speak to your GP.
Remember – if in doubt, check it out. Early detection saves lives.
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