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It's
fun in the sun and we all feel better on a bright day.
Unfortunately too much sun can damage our skin and even cause
skin cancer so there are a few precautions worth taking.
- A "healthy" tan isn't.
It ages your skin faster, so you will look wrinkly sooner and you
risk skin cancer.
- Seek the shade when the sun is at
its height from 11 am to 3 pm
- Try hard to avoid getting burnt by
the sun as this can increase the cancer risk later in life.
Children are especially vulnerable.
- Cover up with a hat, sun glasses
and T shirt. Tightly woven, dark fabrics are best.
- Use generous amounts of sun screen,
at least SPF 15 and one that protects against both types of
harmful rays, UVA and UVB. Reapply the sun screen every 2 hours if
outdoors and especially if you go swimming or are sweating a lot.
What are the warning signs of skin cancer?
If you have a mole, look out for the following
- change in size or colour
- itching or crusting
- bleeding or ulcerating
- change in the shape
- irregularity of the edges, rather than the usual oval or round
shaped mole
- irregularity of the colour of the mole, usually a mole is the same
colour all over
- new moles
If you have any of these changes it doesn't necessarily mean there is a
problem, but don't ignore it, come and see a doctor. The earlier a
malignant mole is treated, the better the chance of a cure.
If you have an ulcer on the skin or a scabby area that won't heal up
get that checked too, early treatment is best. |
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