Enjoy the sun - but please stay safe

WEDNESDAY, 1 JULY, 2015

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Enjoy the sun – but please take care

With skin cancer cases on the rise, NHS Tayside is urging people to enjoy the sun safely and take care of their skin this summer.

People all over Tayside will be spending much of their free time outside this summer and, as everyone enjoys the brighter sunnier days, they need to keep in mind the risks of overexposure to sunlight.

Whether you are staying at home this summer or jetting off to sunnier climes, it is important to look after your skin.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK and figures in Tayside are higher than other parts of the country with a steady increase year-on-year.

There are two main types of skin cancer – melanoma and keratinocytic cancer. Most skin cancer is curable, however more advanced melanoma and some keratinocytic cancers can spread.

There were around 170 new cases of malignant melanoma in Tayside in 2014 and around 1800 keratinocytic cancers.

Research has found that six out of 10 men and four out of 10 women never use sunscreen or cover-up during sunny periods in the UK.  The sun doesn’t need to feel hot to damage your skin and it can be just as damaging here as it is abroad.

Those looking after children should also remember that young skin is delicate and very easily damaged by the sun.  All children, no matter whether they tan easily or not, should be protected from the sun.  Young people are more vulnerable to the effects of sunlight and if children get burnt, it increases the risk of skin cancer later in life.

Consultant dermatologist Dr Andrew Affleck said, “People with suspected skin cancers should be seen as soon as possible, especially suspected melanoma as this can be cured if it is treated before it spreads. However, prevention is better than cure and sensible sun protection measures are important, as well as checking your skin every so often for any changes.

“The hotter the climate, the more chance of sunburn and sun tanning, both of which are harmful to the skin long term, but regular exposure in the UK also leads to damage to the skin and increases the chance of skin cancer developing, often many years later. Other risk factors include fair skin which burns easily, use of sunbeds and medicines that suppress the body’s immune system.

Most skin cancers are curable but every year there are deaths, mostly from melanoma, so with the summer approaching we should all be sun aware.”

There are also many myths surrounding sunbed use and sunbathing - one example being that getting a tan before going on holiday protects your skin – this is completely untrue.

 

One of the main causes of skin cancer is overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or sunbeds. The skin does not distinguish between sunbeds and sunlight and it has been estimated that over 100 deaths per year from melanoma in the UK are attributed to ultraviolet A sunbeds.

 

A tan is actually your body’s attempt to protect itself from the damaging effect of these rays so the term a “healthy-looking glow” could not be further from the truth and the only safe option to a beautiful healthy tan is to fake it.

Here are a few practical tips to keep you and your children safe in the sun and avoid sunburn:

 

    • Seek shade when the sun is hottest – usually between 11am and 3pm.   You can create your own shade with a beach umbrella or canopy, or take advantage of natural shade under trees

    • Cover up with loose-fitting clothing and wear a hat that covers the ears and neck

    • Use a high-factor sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or above

    • Take care not to burn.  Don’t be fooled by a cool breeze or light cloud

    • If taking children in the car, make sure there is adequate ventilation and never leave them in the car unattended

    • Drink plenty to avoid dehydration

    • Choose sunglasses that comply with the British Standard – look on the label for BS EN 1836:1997

Contact:

Louise Wilson

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740718

1 July 2015