Factsheet One- Key Messages for Leaders The Skin The skin is the outer layer covering of your body. Its main functions are to: Protect the body from injury, infection and heat Control body temperature Get rid of waster matter through sweat glans It is in the cells found in the outer layer of the skin where we find many of the most common types of skin cancer diagnosed in Ireland. The word cancer: It is not necessary to use the word cancer to discuss this topic with the juniors. The subject can be covered by discussing protecting the skin from the sun. Key SunSmart Messages for juniors: When in Ireland follow the SunSmart code from April to September, whatever the weather, to protect your skin from the sun Protect your skin from the sun by following as many steps of the SunSmart code as you can. It is not enough to just use sunscreen Never let your skin go red or burn. Protect it with the SunSmart code Check the UV index every day on www.cancer.ie/uvindex. If it is 3 or over it is important to be SunSmart Up to 90% of UV rays can pass through light clouds so even on our many Irish cloudy days it is important to be SunSmart to protect your skin. Temperature has nothing to do with UV rays. Even on a cool day UV level can be high enough to damage your skin.
Factsheet One- Key Messages for Leaders Backround information for Leaders: Skin Cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland. We all need to take action to reduce our risk by following the SunSmart code, from April to September, whether we are at home or abroad As most cases of skin cancer are caused by UV rays from the sun 9 out of 10 cases could be prevented if we took more care when outdoors by following the SunSmart code Tanned skin is not a sign of good health. It is your skin trying to protect itself from further UV damage. Even people with sallow and dark skin are at risk of skin cancer and need to protect their skin by following the SunSmart code when outdoors. Never use a sunbed to get a tan or to top up your vitamin D level. It greatly increases your risk of melanoma skin cancer. Skin cancer is a disease that effects young and old Most UV damage is caused during childhood and adolescence We are all at risk of skin cancer bur people with pale skin that burns and never tans or burns before it tans are at more risk Never let your skin go red or burn. Getting sunburnt at any age increases your risk of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.
Factsheet Two- The SunSmart Code The best way to protect your skin UV rays is to put a barrier between your skin and the rays. The SunSmart code gives you four ways to do this. By following all parts of the code you will get the best protection for your skin so: Cover Up Slip on Clothes This is the simplest thing you can do to protect your skin and it doesn t mean you cant be fashionable. When deciding what to wear remember: Wear clothes with a collar and sleeve and long shorts or skirt Not all clothes give the same UV protection. To check how well your clothes will block UV rays hold them up to the light. If light gets through so will UV rays. Wet clothes often give less protection than dry ones Wearing clothes made of natural fabrics will be more comfortable Avoid sleeveless tops and flimsy fabrics Slap on a hat Many cases of skin cancer develop on the top of the head, face and ears. Choosing a SunSmart hat that gives shade to these areas is a good way to protect your skin. Allowing children to choose their hat may mean they will keep it on. A few things to watch out for with your sun hat: If the light gets through the fabric of the hat so will the UV rays. A bucket hat, legionnaires or broad brimmed hat are good SunSmart hats. Even when wearing a SunSmart hat it is a good idea to apply sunscreen to exposed areas of skin. Seek Shade When in Ireland UV rays tend to be at their strongest between 11am to 3pm so, from April to September, aim to be in the shade between these hours. Here are a few tips to help you get the best from shade: Even when in the shade you need to follow the other elements of the
Factsheet Two- The SunSmart Code SunSmart code (clothes, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen). On the golf course use an umbrella for portable shade. Wear Sunglasses Eyes can be damaged by UV ryas and this damaged can lead to a number of problems including cancer. For this reason it is important to protect them with sunglasses that give UV protection. A few things to keep in mind about the sunglasses you choose: Wear wraparound sunglasses as they give the best protection from UV rays. Make sure they give 100% UV protection. You will see a label or sticker on the glasses to this effect. are that you: Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and UVA protection. Check the bottle for the UVA logo. Put plenty on 20 minutes before going outside Reapply every 2 hours and more often if swimming, sweating or towel drying Use water resistant sunscreen, especially if swimming or at water sports Remember, those parts of the body that are not usually exposed to the sun will tend to burn more easily Be sure to take care or your ears, neck, hands and feet. Remember to store your sunscreen in a cool place and check the expiry date. Most sunscreens will last for up to two years once opened. Wear Sunscreen Using sunscreen alone will not give you 100% protection against UV rays. It is important to use all elements of the SunSmart code to protect skin when outdoors. It does not matter what brand of sunscreen you use. The important things
Factsheet Three- About Skin Cancer Skin Cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland. 9.450 people were diagnosed with skin cancer in 2010 158 people died from the disease in 2011. Skin cancer is very rate in those under 15 years of age. However, it is the most common cancer in 15-44 year olds in this country with: 702 people in this age group being diagnosed with skin cancer in 2010 and 23 people dying of skin cancer in 2011 A close family member who has or had skin cancer Ever used a sunbed Even if your skin type is naturally brown or black, which makes it less likely to burn, it can still receive enough UV damage to increase your risk of skin cancer. If you are concerned about your skin If you are concerned speak to your doctor or contact the National Cancer Helpline in confidence or Freefone 1800 200 700 90% of skin cancers are caused by UV radiation. Who is at risk of getting Skin Cancer? Everyone who spends time outdoors is at risk, even if you are only outside to work or play. Some people are at greater risk if they have: Pale or freckled skin that does not tan or burns before it tans Naturally red or fair hair Blue, green or grey eyes A large number of moles (50 or more) A history of sunburn Already had skin cancer
Factsheet Four- The Sun and Your Health We all need a small amount of UV exposure to help us produce vitamin D. However, it is important not to increase our risk of skin cancer and the other health effects of UV exposure in the process. Vitamin D and the Sun Vitamin D is important for the development of healthy bone, muscles and teeth and it may protect against heart disease and cancer. There are a number of ways to get vitamin D: UV Exposure The World Health Organisation INTERSUN programme recommends getting 5 to 15 minutes of casual sun exposure to hands, face and arms two to three times a week during the summer months to help meet your vitamin D needs. Your Diet Vitamin D can also be got in your diet from oily fish, eggs, liver and kidney. You will also find some foods fortified with vitamin D such as milk, cereals and cheese. Supplementation Another option is to take a vitamin D supplement. This is something you can discuss with your doctor if you are concerned about your vitamin D levels. Take care not to increase your skin cancer risk to help get vitamin D There are a few important things to remember about sun exposure and vitamin D: Never let your skin redden or burn to get vitamin D. Never use a sunbed to increase your vitamin D levels. At all times follow the SunSmart Code. Other health effects of sun exposure Sunburn The amount of sun exposure needed for skin to burn is different from person to person. It depends on your skin type. If you have very fair skin you will burn more quickly than those with darker skin. Getting sunburnt at any age is a sign that the DNA in your cells has been damaged by UV rays. This damage can lead to skin cancer later in life, in particular melanoma skin cancer.
Tanned Skin You may think having a tan is healthy but there is nothing healthy about a tan caused by UV rays. It is a sign that your skin has been damaged by UV rays and is trying to protect itself from further damage. While much of this damage will be repaired, some of it remains and builds up over the years with every tan you get. It is this built- up damage that can lead to skin cancer later in life. Eye Damage UV rays can damage the eyes and lead to a number of problems including cancer. To protect your eyes from UV damage wear wrap- around sunglasses that give 100% UV protection. A good sunhat can give some shade to the eyes and is ideal for children to protect their eyes. However, there is no reason why children cannot wear sunglasses, when they are old enough to do so, to best protect their eyes. Skin Ageing Factsheet Four- The Sun and Your Health UV rays can reach the deeper layers of the skin and cause it to wrinkle and sag. It also dries out the skin making it leathery and coarse. Reducing your time in the sun and following the SunSmart code will help.
Factsheet Five- UV Radiation and the UV Index The Different Types of UV Radiation There are Three Types of UV Radiation UVA makes up most of the UV that reached the earth surface. It reaches the deeper layer of the skin causing skin ageing, eye damage and skin cancer. UVB is mostly absorbed by the Ozone layer and other substances before it reaches the earth s surface. It causes sunburn and is the major cause of skin cancer. UVC is mostly filtered before it reaches the earth by the Ozone layer and other substances. Problems can arise if the Ozone layer is thin, such as is the case over Australia. Some UVC can then reach the earth surface and increase the risk of those exposed to it to skin cancer. Factors that Affect UV Radiation While UV radiation is present all year round many factors influence how much you are exposed to. They include: The Time of Day UV rays are stronger in Ireland from 11am to 3pm. The Time of Year UV rays reach the earth all year round but in Ireland exposure is usually greatest from April to September. Altitude The higher up you go the higher the level of UV radiation. For this reason take extra care if you are hill walking. Cloud Cover Cloud cover generally reduces the amount of UV rays you are exposed to. However up to 90% of UV rays can pass through light clouds so even on an overcast day UV levels can be high enough to damage your skin. Where You Are in the World The closer you move to the equator the higher the UV level.reflective Surfaces UV rays can be reflected back from some surfaces making your exposure greater. Concrete, for example, can reflect 10% of UV rays. Dry sand can reflect up to 15%, sea foam about 25% and snow 80%. Ozone Layer Some of the UV rays that would otherwise reach the earth are blocked by the ozone layer. Take extra care in areas where the ozone layer is depleted, for example in Australia.
Factsheet Five- UV Radiation and the UV Index The UV Index The UV Index tells us the level of UV radiation that is expected at the earth s surface. It is a scale that runs from zero upwards. The higher the UV Index the less time it takes the skin to burn and the greater the risk of skin damage which can lead to skin cancer. If the UV Index is 3 or over it is important to follow the SunSmart Code. Find the UV Index for locations across Ireland on www.cancer.ie/uvindex