Don’t sizzle in the sun this summer

The unpredictability of our summers can lead to many people thinking that they will not get sunburn in such a changeable climate. However, the majority of the population have fair skin, which provides little protection against the sun, so even a small amount of exposure can do damage.

Dr Miriam McCarthy, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the PHA, explained: “Being active and having fun outside is good for health, but the sun can cause permanent damage to our skin. Just one episode of sunburn, especially in childhood, doubles the lifetime risk of malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.”

There are a number of simple steps that will help protect against the sun’s harmful rays:

Seek shade when the sun is at its strongest – generally 11am to 3pm.

Cover up in the sun with a long sleeved t-shirt, sunglasses and a hat.

Use sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 for UVB protection and 4-star for UVA protection. Apply liberally 30 minutes before going out in the sun and re-apply at least every two hours.

Dr McCarthy continued: “Malignant melanoma begins in the skin and can spread to other organs in the body. The most common sign of malignant melanoma is the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole.

“The number of cases of malignant melanoma in Northern Ireland has more than doubled in the past 20 years. New evidence from the Health Survey Northern Ireland indicates that very few people here regularly check their skin for signs of skin cancer.

“We encourage everyone to follow these steps in the current period of hot weather. Also, don’t forget that it is important to drink enough water to keep hydrated during warmer spells, whether here at home or if you are travelling away for holidays.

“Prolonged heat poses a particular risk to older people, young people and those with heart and lung conditions, who may feel the effects of hot weather more acutely than others, and although rain is forecast for the weekend, it will remain very warm so it is important to take steps to keep cool.”

If you are concerned about skin cancer you can also call the Cancer Focus NI free information and support helpline on 0800 783 3339 or email one of the charity’s nurses on [email protected]