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SO the sun has made a very welcome return to our lives this week, isn’t this always the case when thousands of students are sitting state exams?
Thankfully for most of the exam students, they are finally over and they can finally enjoy the well-earned holidays. Unfortunately, we as a nation are not blessed with the sallow skin of our Mediterranean friends and we need to always be careful in the sunshine.
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Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland and nine out of ten cases are caused by UV rays from the sun or sunbeds. If you spend time outdoors you are at risk of skin cancer, this includes people who work and play outdoors and is not exclusive to sun bathers.
There are a few things that increase your risk at getting skin cancer and they include having:
• Pale or freckled skin that does not tan or burns before it tans
• Naturally red or fair hair
• Blue, green or grey eyes
• A large number of moles (50 or more)
• A history of sunburn
• Already had skin cancer
• A close family member who has or had skin cancer
• Ever used a sunbed
If you are unsure about any changes to your skin, please visit your GP as early detection can save your life.
On a practical note, use sunscreen or cover up in the sun. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of children that are sun burnt during the fine weather.
It is to me, a form of child abuse to allow a child get badly sunburned. Although skin cancer is rare in children, the damage that they get from UV rays is what leads to skin cancer in later years.
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Children’s skin is more sensitive to UV rays than adults so it is important to protect them and educate them from a young age.
Use common sense and put a hat on your child, keep them in the shade and layer on the sun lotion. Invest in a pair of sunglasses for your child; there are wraparound styles available for smaller children.
Without sounding like a complete killjoy, we do need to get our dose of Vitamin D and sun exposure is the best natural source of obtaining it. The World Health Organisation advice is to get 5-15 minutes of casual sun exposure to hands. face and arms two to three times a week during the summer months.
Ironically even as I am writing this, the sun is going in and there are some clouds, but remember that this can still be lethal.
CH Chemists have wonderfully trained staff who will gladly advise you when choosing your sun screen and for those ladies who like their SPF in their daily moisturiser. Talk to Cindy Walsh at the Clarins counter who is one of the best in the business at skincare advice.
We all love the sun to shine as it puts us in better form so please be careful and protect yourself and your children.
Until next week,
Stay safe in the sun!
Orlagh xx
