Skin Cancer Awareness Month
May is Skin Cancer awareness month, sounds very dramatic but skin cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in Ireland each year with the average number of new cases being 13,000. Terrifyingly that number is expected to double by 2040 according to National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI). Skin cancer is a disease of your skin cells with 9 out of 10 cases being caused by UV rays from the sun or sunbeds. Over exposure to UV rays which gives your skin a tan, or perhaps like many Irish people you just burn and go back pale. This is when you create damage to your skin, although a lot of the corruption caused to your skin remains and can lead to skin cancer later in life. If you get a diagnosis early up to 90% of cases are curable, those are huge numbers.
But detecting it early is key, check your skin once a month. If you are just starting to check your skin you will need to get to know what is normal for your skin, everyone is different, when you are familiar with what is normal for your skin it will become easier. The most common things to look out for new are small lumps, flat red spots, firm red lumps, a lump or spot that is tender to touch, ulcers that won’t heal, a lump with a scaly or horny top, rough scaly patches and the one we most know about a new or changing mole. If you find any of the above or anything on your body that you are concerned about talk to your doctor or dermatologist. It is always better to be too cautious then to be indifferent. You can also get your doctor to do a yearly skin exam or have a mole mapping done annually, if you do this still do monthly checks yourself. I am going to book in for a mole mapping in Renew Skin Clinic which is basically when a doctor uses a specialised handheld device, almost like a torch with a magnifying glass so they can see your skin in greater detail and all of the information to downloaded into a computer programme that along with the doctors knowledge and advanced technology of the screening programme gives you a much more detailed analysis of your skins health. Mapping starts at €80 for a single mole but I recommend trying to get a full body scan once yearly and this costs €250. You do not need a referral letter from your GP to get a mole mapping. I know it is expensive but if it is in your budget it is the easiest way to get peace of mind.
There are two main groups of skin cancer. Non-melanoma skin cancers, the most common and the most treatable with an estimated 12,000 cases diagnosed per year between 2018 – 2020. This form of skin cancer is more common in older people, but not exclusively. Melanoma skin cancers the rarer and more dangerous group as this form of skin cancer if not spotted early can spread to other parts of the body and cause catastrophic medical issues. Although the average cases reported from 2018 – 2020 was 1,100 that number is expected to rise in the future. Melanoma is a skin cancer that can affect young people so early detection is essential.
The Irish Cancer Society have devised the SunSmart Code an easy to follow guide to being sun safe.
Step 1: seek shade, being in the shade can give you up to 75% protection from harmful UV rays. When we are outdoors UV rays van reach you directly, by not seeking shade or indirectly by refection from surfaces like sea water, concrete even snow so be mindful even when in shade if you feel brightness on your face you are not protected as well as you could be.
Step 2: Slip on some clothes. The most simple way to protect is to cover your skin. Amazingly some fabric gives better protection then others. Natural fibres are best think cotton, linen or even hemp. The darker the colour the less UV rays cab get through. Clothes made from UPF fabric block any UV rays from passing through. No UPF clothing can give you 100% protection so still use shade and SPF. UPF clothing generally comes with a rating UPF 15-24 will block 93.3 – 95% of UV radiation, UPF 25-39 blocks 96-97.4% and 40 and over blocks 97.5% UV radiation. Interestingly wet fabrics let more UV rays through so change out a pool t-shirt when you are out of the pool
Step 3: Wear Sunglasses, not only a fabulous fashion accessory but they protect your eyes from UV damage. Short term damage includes mild irritation, difficulty with bright lights, excessive blinking and you can even get sunburn on your cornea. Long-term exposure can cause cataracts and cancer. Just be sure when choosing sunglasses that they give UV protection, make sure they meet the European standards, the code is EN1836. Try getting young children wearing sunglasses as soon as they are big enough.
Step 4: Wear sunscreen. Be sure it is a broad-spectrum that protects against UVA & UVB. Use a minimum of SPF 30. Apply to dry skin 20 minutes before going out in the sun and reapply every two hours. Be extra diligent in areas that do not get much sun as they will burn easily. Apply SPF liberally, 35mls is the amount of SPF that you should use for your whole body. A teaspoon full amount for each arm another for face, neck and ears another for the front of your legs and another for the back and another for both chest area and belly area and two more for your back. SPF’s lose their effectivity when they are passed their use by date so be sure to check that and store below 30ºc. Always choose a water-resistant type if you are going to be sweating, swimming or involved in water sports. And try to get a brand that is coral safe, we can protect our planet while protecting ourselves.
Step 5: Know the UV index. When the UV index is 3 or greater you are at a higher risk of skin damage that can lead to skin cancer. Get into the habit of checking it daily particularly from April to September.
So to sum up, wear sunscreen daily, paying particular attention
from April to September. Stay out of the sun when possible. If your
desk is beside a window or you drive for a living wear sunscreen
every day throughout the year. And remember as well as causing
skin cancer UV rays are responsible for 80% of visible facial
ageing, so if skin cancer isn’t a big enough deterrent maybe
deep wrinkles will be.