Enjoying the sun, sun care course and much more.
Now that we are in the summer season we should always be careful about exposing ourselves to too much sun.
Remember, too much ultraviolet (UV) light, either from natural sunlight or from artificial sources such as sunbeds, is the main cause of 80% of skin cancers.
Some ways to enjoy the sun safely:
SPF (UVB)
SPF stands for ‘sun protection factor’ – the sunscreen’s ability to filter out ultraviolet B radiation (UVB). The higher the SPF number, the greater the protection. SPF 15 will block 93% of UV radiation, while a SPF 30+ will give you more protection, screening out 96% of UV radiation. Find out which SPF you should use.
UVA
When it’s sunny, spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm. Protect yourself when the UV index is 3 or higher. UVA protection in sunscreen guards against skin ageing by filtering out ultraviolet radiation (UVA).
Applying sunscreen
Apply your sunscreen generously at least 30 minutes before going outdoors. Most people apply too little resulting in 50-80% less protection than specified on the bottle. Reapply every two hours or more frequently, especially if it is being rubbed off through swimming or exercise. It’s important to remember that no sunscreen gives 100% protection against UV rays. Useful information on sunscreen is also available from the British Association of Dermatologists’ Sunscreen Fact Sheet.
Protect your moles
If you have lots of moles or freckles, your risk of getting skin cancer is higher than average, so take extra care.
Avoid getting caught out by sunburn. Use shade, clothing and a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to protect yourself.
Keep an eye out for changes to your skin. Changes to check for include:
- a new mole, growth or lump
- any moles, freckles or patches of skin that change in size, shape or colour
Report these to your doctor as soon as possible. Skin cancer is much easier to treat if it is found early.
Cancer Focus – Be U Aware - on-line training
Staff are invited to take part in Cancer Focus on - line training.
This training is to provide people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to implement cancer prevention and awareness in their everyday role. There are no restrictions on the length of time or the number of sessions taken by each participant to complete the course.
Please note that each member of staff will need to register for the course by creating an individual account, click on link below to register:
You can enrol for the Be UV Aware e-module at:
For more information check out suncare section here