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As summer approaches and we spend more time outside it is important to be aware of the damage the sun can do to our skin.
Some sunshine is good for us as it helps the body to create Vitamin D. Being out in the sun gives us a feeling of wellbeing and allows us to enjoy outdoor activities and do more exercise, which is beneficial for health and prevention of diseases. However it is easy to over-do sun exposure, which can lead to a range of skin problems, the most serious of which is skin cancer.
Sunburn and heavy tans are now accepted as being harmful and may lead to skin cancer. A tan is a sign that skin has been damaged and is trying to protect itself from further damage.
VITAMIN D
Vitamin D is important in the prevention of some diseases such as cancer, various forms of arthritis and auto-immune diseases.
It is hard to get Vitamin D from diet alone, so you should not avoid the sun altogether, however it is not known exactly how much sun expose is required to provide sufficient Vitamin D.
It is not advisable to sunbathe to increase the Vitamin D level, but small amounts of incidental sunlight as you might get through daily activities should boost the Vitamin D level.
SKIN CANCER
More than 70,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually in the UK, and someone dies from the disease every 4 hours. Extensive sun exposure is thought to be responsible for the vast majority of cases.
In more than 4 out of 5 cases, skin cancer is a preventable disease.
There are 3 wave lengths of ultra violet radiation – UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC does not penetrate the earth’s atmosphere, so it is only UVA and UVB that we need to protect our skin from. UVB radiation is mostly responsible for causing sunburn and this is linked with Malignant Melanoma and Basal Cell carcinoma (types of skin cancer).
UV radiation also causes sun induced skin ageing such as wrinkles, leathery skin and brown pigmentation. Whilst this is not as serious as skin cancer it can be socially unacceptable.
SIGNS OF A MOLE BEING CANCEROUS
| Asymmetry | The two halves of the area may differ in shape |
| Border | The edges of the area may be irregular or blurred and may have notches |
| Colour | This may be uneven. There may be different shades of black, brown and pink |
| Diameter | Most melanomas are at least 6mm in diameter. Report any changes in size, shape or diameter |
| Expert | If in doubt check it out with a dermatologist |
If in doubt check it out
SUNSCREENS
Use of a sunscreen with a high Sun Protection Factor (SPF) and high UV protection will help to prevent the skin from burning.
The SPF should be at least 25, and should be applied generously and regularly, especially after swimming or vigorous activity. The overall message in terms of sunscreen use is “More is Better”
TOP SUN SAFETY TIPS
- Protect skin with clothes, including a hat and sunglasses
- Seek the shade between 11am and 3pm
- Keep babies and young children out of the sun
- Use a high SPF sunscreen
- Report any skin changes to your GP
THOSE AT GREATER RISK
- People with very fair skin that burns easily
- People with a personal or family history of skin cancer
- People with more than 50 moles on their body
- People receiving treatment with immuno-supressive drugs
