KEEPING SKIN SAFE THIS SUMMER

What Your Employees Need To Know

It’s estimated that in the UK alone, over 150,000 people are diagnosed with a form of UV exposure-related cancer every year.

While we all love a summertime tan, keeping our skin safe from harmful UV rays is one of the most important factors in preventing the risk of skin cancer. This is because when our skin receives too much ultraviolet radiation –typically from long-term sun exposure or use of tanning beds – this can damage the DNA in our skin cells, causing the cells to become cancerous. In fact, Cancer Research UK has even estimated that up to 90% of melanoma skin cancer cases could be prevented with better sun safety and avoiding tanning beds! Unfortunately, here in the UK, we have something of a well-earned reputation for poor suncare, with outdoor workers particularly at risk. With an estimated 1 in 3 outdoor employees neglecting to wear adequate sun protection at work, this summer is a great time to remind your workforce of the importance of taking care of our skin in the sun – here are some of Medicash’s top tips to pass along to your employees.

1. Try to wear protective clothing where possible, like a light, long-sleeved shirt

2. Wear a hat with a brim or flap that covers the ears and back of the neck

3. Use a high factor, quality sunscreen of at least SPF 15 on exposed skin, and remember to reapply every 2 hours

4. Try not to spend too much time in direct sunlight, and take regular breaks in shaded areas when possible

5. Stay hydrated when working outdoors in hot weather

6. Regularly check your skin for unusual skin spots or moles, particularly any spots that seem to change shape, size, or colour, start feeling itchy, or bleed.

And don’t forget, keeping track of skin spots and moles is easier than ever with the revolutionary tracking app SkinVision, available for free to all Medicash customers

Head to www.medicash.org/customerservice/skinvision to find out more about how we can help keep your employees skin-safe all year round.

Cancer Research UK has even estimated that up to 90% of melanoma skin cancer cases could be prevented with better sun safety and avoiding tanning beds!