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Irish Cancer Society

Be SunSmart the Irish Cancer Society

Skin cancer is by far the most common cancer in Ireland. The good news is that you can greatly reduce your risk simply by being Sun Smart. so we have lots of tips on how to Be SunSmart for you and for your children.

We have a fun quiz you can do to find out how SunSmart you are and how you can do more to protect yourself, as well as a section that looks at common myths and beliefsabout sun protection and skin cancer .

Our skin cancer section explains what the skin and skin cancer are and looks at the different types of skin cancers. We also look at who is more at risk of getting skin cancer and what can they do to reduce their risk.

Skin cancer is very curable if caught early so checking your skin is vital!

See also My Skin Check for more information on checking your skin for risks.

Read an explantion of how ultraviolet radiation works and how you can use Met Eireann’s Daily UV Index/Sunburn Warning Index to protect you and your family in the best possible way.

Read about sunburn, tanning and sun beds and expert advice on each.

We have lots of resources that can be ordered online or downloaded. Please look at our Resource Section for more information.

Did you know?

90% of all skin cancers are preventable. Virtually all the risk comes from the sun & sun beds/sunlamps.

About 80 – 85% of the suns rays can pass through clouds so you need to take care on cloudy days too.

Damage to the skin by the sun is permanent. It also builds up - that means damage to the skin in one year is added to damage done in previous years. In later life this can lead to skin cancer.

Skin cancer can take 20 to 30 years to develop, so the rates of skin cancer today reflect the trends of the 70’s and 80’s.

For the majority of the population, 10 - 15 minutes daily exposure of the face and hands to the sun and adequate diet provides a sufficient level of vitamin D.

Skin damage is caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays, which are strongest from 11am to 3pm. This is not related to the hottest part of the day, which is usually later in the afternoon.

Ultraviolet Radiation from sunlight and sunbeds/sunlamps is the main risk factor for skin cancer.

Why should Irish people be aware?

In Ireland, one in every eight men and one in every ten women will develop skin cancer by the age of 74 years

The number of skin cancer cases is rising every year.

Ireland has among the highest skin cancer rates in Europe.

Two-thirds of Irish people have a higher risk of developing Skin Cancer because of their skin type.

Irish people are exposed to the sun more often than in the past (mainly due to holidaying abroad).

In general, Irish people have more disposable income and more free time to spend in the sun and on sun beds (whether abroad or on holidays).

A tan has become more fashionable in Ireland than in the past. This puts us at greater risk of developing skin cancer in later years.


	Last Updated: Mon May 10 2010

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