Irish Cancer Society urges everyone to be SunSmart during the good weather

News Article | 27 Mar 2012

The Irish Cancer Society is urging everyone to enjoy the sun but ensure they play it safe during this spell of good weather. The Society is reminding people that even in Irish weather if they are outdoors they need to protect themselves from UV rays by following the SunSmart Code.  Don’t be fooled by a cool breeze or a light cloud; the dangerous UV rays of the sun are present even on an Irish cloudy day.

THE SUNSMART CODE:

  • COVER UP: by wearing a shirt with a collar and long shorts.  Also wear a hat that gives shade to your face, back of your neck and ears
  • SEEK SHADE: especially from 11am to 3pm, when UVA rays are at their strongest
  • WEAR WRAPAROUND SUNGLASSES: make sure they give UV protection
  • SLOP ON SUNSCREEN: Put on sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and UVA protection 20 minutes before going outside and re-apply every 2 hours – more often if swimming, sweating or towel drying.

It is vital that babies and young children are also protected. The Irish Cancer Society recommends that parents and those looking after children take heed of the following SunSmart tips:

  • Keep babies up to six months of age in the shade at all times
  • Don’t forget sun at school times. Give children a hat to wear during their play times and lunch breaks on summer school days. If they can’t apply sunscreen at school, cover their exposed skin with sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and UVA protection before they go to school.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Ireland.  According to the National Cancer Registry Ireland (NCRI), more than 8,000 new cases of skin cancer were diagnosed in 2010. Of these, 800 people were diagnosed with melanoma the most serious type of skin cancer.  Nine out of ten cases of skin cancer are caused by ultraviolet rays (UV) from the sun or sunbeds and as such can be prevented.

Norma Cronin, Health Promotion Manager, says:  “Sun exposure is the main cause of skin cancer.  For this reason it is important to always protect your skin by following the SunSmart Code.  Whether you are at home and abroad, when you are outdoors, be prepared to be SunSmart and never let your skin burn.  Also parents need to follow the SunSmart Code with their children as, worryingly, most UV damage is caused during childhood and adolescence.”