Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Northern Ireland, so this Sun Awareness Week [11-17 May], the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland are encouraging everyone to protect their skin from UV damage and check regularly for signs of skin cancer. 

Frances Dowds, Health and Wellbeing Improvement Manager at the PHA, said: “We all love to see the sunshine coming at this time of year. Sunlight provides many benefits, it promotes good mental health, helps prevent disease, provides our bodies with vitamin D, lowers blood pressure and supports good bone health. 

“However, we need to ensure we are protecting our skin properly in order to enjoy it safely as over-exposure to UV radiation through sunlight can damage skin and cause the majority of skin cancers. In Northern Ireland, skin cancer is the most common cancer and accounts for over 31% of all cancers diagnosed. Over 4,000 people develop skin cancer each year and almost 1 in 10 of these are malignant melanoma, the most serious form. Malignant melanoma rates have risen over the past 40 years from an average of around 100 cases per year in the mid-1980s, to over 400 in recent years. 

“There is also no safe limit for exposure to UV radiation from sunbeds. Research shows people who have used a sunbed at least once at any stage in their life have a 20% higher risk of developing melanoma skin cancer than people who have never used a sunbed.

“The good news is that the majority of all skin cancers are preventable by undertaking simple sun protection measures.” 

Top tips for protecting your skin from cancer:

Check when you are most at risk from UV radiation. Levels of UV radiation are highest in Northern Ireland between March and October – even when it is cool or overcast.

If you are going outdoors, check what the UV index will be throughout the day. You can check daily and hourly UV index forecasts via most weather apps on your mobile phone.

Help protect your skin when the UV index is 3 or more by following this guidance:

• Stay in the shade between 11.00am and 3.00pm, when UV rays are strongest.
• Cover up with suitable clothing.
• Wear a broad brimmed hat and sunglasses with 100% UV protection.
• Buy sunglasses that have a CE mark or carry British Standard BS EN ISO 12312-1.
• Use sunscreen on exposed skin; an SPF of at least 30 and UVA 4 stars as recommended by the Department of Health and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
• Babies under six months should stay out of direct sunlight. If exposure to sunlight is unavoidable, apply a small amount of high protection sunscreen to exposed areas, such as the cheeks and back of the hands. For children over six months choose SPF 30 or SPF 50 to protect against UVB rays and minimum UVA 4 stars. Higher SPF will give more protection.
• Avoid sunburn by never allowing your skin to go pink or red in the sun. Sunburn doesn’t have to be raw, peeling or blistering skin; for people with darker skin, it might feel tender, irritated or itchy.
• Choose and use the correct amount of sunscreen – an adult needs six teaspoons distributed evenly on the body with an SPF of at least 30 and UVA 4 or 5 stars.
• Avoid sunbeds – they can cause over exposure to UV radiation.
• Check your skin at least once a month, be aware of any changes, and speak to your GP if you notice any mole changes, new moles or abnormal skin changes.

Protecting skin from damage is really important, but so is checking for changes to your skin or moles. Early detection and treatment of skin cancer can dramatically improve outcomes. Most cases of skin cancer are treatable, especially when caught early.

Naomi Thompson, Health Improvement Manager at Cancer Focus NI, said: “Regularly examining your skin for any new or changing moles, spots, or lesions is crucial in detecting skin cancer early. Checking your skin regularly, ideally once a month, could save your life.

“Get someone to help you check areas that are difficult to see, like your back and the backs of your legs. Don’t forget the soles of your feet, between your toes, your scalp, neck and nails. Always remember, know your skin and know what is normal for you.

“Common signs and symptoms include a new growth or sore that does not heal in 3-4 weeks. Look for anything that is inflamed, growing, bleeding, crusting, red around the edges, particularly itchy or painful, or changing in any way.

“It is normal to have freckles and moles. Most moles develop in childhood and adolescence. If, as an adult, you notice a new mole on your skin or if you notice any changes to an existing mole then get these checked by your GP.” 

A new campaign focusing on encouraging sun safe behaviours and raising awareness of the health impacts of over-exposure to UV radiation is running in community pharmacies across Northern Ireland throughout May, as part of the Living Well service. This campaign is an opportunity for you to chat to your local pharmacist about how to look after your skin, how to stay safe in the sun, talk about medication that could increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight and also to raise any concerns, especially in relation to prevention and early detection of skin cancer.

Where to get more information

You can find out what the daily UV index is for your area through the weather app on your smartphone or by downloading the Met Office app.

To find out more about taking care in the sun, visit www.careinthesun.org     

If you are concerned about any aspect of cancer, you can call Cancer Focus NI’s Nurseline on 0800 783 3339 to talk about any cancer-related issue or to find out more about the charity’s cancer support services.