This month is dedicated to highlighting the impact skin cancer has on individuals lives. To help gain more information around this subject Empeal interviewed with the Marie Keating Foundation. This organisation is an Irish foundation focused on raising awareness of cancer, and the importance of early detection. The Foundation's mission is to make cancer less frightening through educating and enlightenment of the issue. The aim of the Marie Keating Foundation is to live in a world that is free from the fear of cancer. The foundation has many information and support services which reach thousands of people a year, giving education, information and advice focused on cancer prevention and early detection, as well as providing support services and financial assistance to those living with and beyond cancer. According to the Maire Keating, your health your choice campaign, 4 out of 10 cancers can be prevented through lifestyle changes of not smoking, eating a healthy diet, being physically active, avoiding too much sun, limiting the consumption of alcohol and also being vaccinated.

Empeal met with Bernadette, Assistant Director of Nursing for Marie Keating to discuss some prevention methods and ways to avoid skin cancer. 

“Skin cancer is the most preventable cancer as over 90% of cancers are caused by UV Ray or artificial UV Rays such as sunbeds”. 

According to Bernadette, the most effective skin cancer cure is prevention. Some very practical tips were offered by Bernadette to those who are looking to protect themselves this summer, 

“It is important not to just look at sunscreen when protecting yourself but to look at all prevention methods. We must try our best to protect our children’s skin especially around this time of year as we are going into the summer months. The sun can be most intense from the hours between 11 am to 3 pm. It is also important to look at the clothing you are wearing when out in the sun. Make sure the ears and the back of the neck are protected when out in the sun”.

In particular, Bernadette mentioned that there are two rays in which are important to protect yourself from. The two main types of UV that affect the skin are UVA waves and UVB. These types of radiation are emitted from the sun and can cause long term skin damage.

“UVB rays can be more responsible for burning and UVA can cause ageing, but these together can cause skin cancer. It is also possible to get skin cancer in the eyes and that is why buying good quality sunglasses is so important”.

This was all such practical advice from Bernadette and the Marie Keating foundation. There are many ways in which you can take precautions to prevent overexposure to the sun especially in the upcoming summer months.

Sources

Marie Keating Foundation (2021) Your Health Your Choice, Your Health Your Choice | Marie Keating Foundation.