Skin Health Q4 2022 | A promotional supplement distributed on behalf of Mediaplanet, which takes sole responsibility for its content
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“Nine out of every ten skin cancers are caused by UV rays from the sun or sunbeds. ”
“Be unapologetically YOU! You dictate your life. Psoriasis should never define who you are or what you do.”
Bernie Carter, MSc, Senior Oncology Nurse, Assistant Director of Nursing, Marie Keating Foundation
Damien Broderick, TikToker living with psoriasis (@damienbroderick)
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Page 03 Image provided by Damien Broderick
I consider myself very lucky that my typically imperfect skin doesn’t affect my self-esteem or confidence. I went five years between flare-ups, so I know that what I’m suffering now isn’t how it’s always going to be for me. Damien Broderick, TikToker living with psoriasis
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Skin cancer does not hibernate, protect your skin all year round Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland, yet arguably the most preventable. As we head into winter, many things hibernate — but skin cancer does not.
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t is as important to protect your skin during the winter as much as the summer. As altitude increases, so does skin cancer risk. The strength of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation may be less in winter, but it still increases your overall skin cancer risk — as does sunbed use.
Bernie Carter, MSc Senior Oncology Nurse, Assistant Director of Nursing, Marie Keating Foundation
Skin cancer in Ireland Each year, almost 13,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer in Ireland. Nine out of every ten skin cancers are caused by UV rays from the sun or sunbeds. What is skin cancer? There are two main types of skin cancer: non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancer. Non-melanoma skin cancer is much more common but less aggressive than melanoma skin cancer. It accounts for 11,763 cases, yearly, in Ireland.
Use the ABCDE guide to check mole changes Asymmetry If you draw a line down the centre of your mole, is it larger on one side? Border Are the borders of your mole uneven, jagged or notched? Colour Has your mole changed colour over time, or does it contain different colours? Diameter Is the circumference of your mole larger than the top of a rubber on a pencil (larger than 6mm)? However, melanomas can be smaller. Evolving Do you notice any changes within or around your mole (eg. height or appearance)?
The strength of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation may be less in winter, but it still increases your overall skin cancer risk — as does sunbed use. Melanoma skin cancer Melanoma is the least common but most serious form of skin cancer. The most common sign is the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole. The majority (70.9%) of melanomas develop from new growths, and only a minority (29.1%) arise from an existing mole or nevus. Everyone needs to check their skin for new moles and not just changes to existing moles.
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Ultraviolet (UV) radiation Exposure to UV radiation is the main risk factor for skin cancer. It is emitted from the sun, sunbeds and sun lamps. You can’t feel UV rays — the heat from the sun comes from infrared rays, which can’t burn you. It’s the sun’s UV rays rather than the sun’s heat which causes the skin to burn or tan. Therefore, it does not have to be sunny for UV rays to damage the skin. When the UV index is three or above, you must protect your skin.
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Image provided by Damien Broderick
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Psoriasis video and podcast series to support people on one of Ireland’s largest waiting lists For many people living with psoriasis, access to specialist dermatology care is a critical step in taking control of their condition, but many are experiencing significant delays.
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eople living with skin conditions, including psoriasis, are experiencing some of Ireland’s longest delays to access the specialist care they desperately need. There are 39,324 people waiting to access dermatology services, with 30% (12,118) waiting more than 12 months, according to the latest figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund.
My psoriasis is part of who I am, but it’s not who I am I was first diagnosed with psoriasis when I was 18. I’d never even heard of the autoimmune disease before a GP took one look at the red, raw, flaky patches that were covering over 80% of my body.
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obody knows exactly what causes a flare-up. We can try to put it down to stress or anxiety — but frankly, anything that triggers a response from the immune system has the potential to cause a flare-up.
Overcoming challenges I consider myself very lucky that my typically imperfect skin doesn’t affect my self-esteem or confidence. I went five years between flare-ups, so I know that what I’m suffering now isn’t how it’s always going to be for me. Now, more than ever, I feel responsible to show my skin, be the person taking the brunt of those comments — the good and the bad — and using my platform to try and normalise psoriasis.
Everyday pain My current flare-up is my worst to date. It’s covering almost the same amount as the first; but unlike the first, there’s little hiding this one for a few reasons. One reason being it was very visible on Be unapologetically you I patiently respond my face for the first time. Over 125 million people worldwide to every comment I’ve gotten patches in really irritating suffer from psoriasis. In Ireland places like my inner thighs and the trying to educate or alone, there are about 6,000 people backs of my knees. Unlike other times with it each year. In 2015, enlighten people on diagnosed when psoriasis was causing more of a a report showed that approximately what psoriasis is. discomfort due to itching and affecting 75,000 work days were missed my self-esteem, this time, my selfannually by those suffering. esteem is perfectly fine, but I’m in physical pain My advice as someone who’s suffering and will daily. suffer again is to see a dermatologist, use a good quality moisturiser and try not to scratch. Also, Facing judgement be unapologetically YOU! You dictate your life. This time, I can’t hide it. That’s also partly due to Psoriasis should never define who you are or what my social media presence. I didn’t slow down the you do. daily uploads of my outfit videos to almost 1 million followers. My skin is on full display, and of course — the questions come in, and so do the nasty WRITTEN BY comments. Damien Broderick In fairness, some are based on ignorance — people TikToker living who haven’t heard of it or never seen it to this with psoriasis (@damienbroderick) extent. I patiently respond to every comment trying to educate or enlighten people on what psoriasis is.
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Finding psoriasis support Psoriasis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory skin disorder that affects at least 73,000 people in Ireland. It is an immune condition that causes symptoms on the skin and, sometimes, the joints. PsO Let’s Talk Psoriasis, a video and podcast series by Janssen Sciences Ireland UC, aims to support and empower people living with psoriasis as they await access to vital healthcare services. Hosted by broadcaster Dr Ciara Kelly, PsO Let’s Talk Psoriasis is the first series of its kind designed to bridge this gap in support, by providing access to expert guidance from leading Irish dermatologists and healthcare professionals to help people manage their psoriasis while they wait to access specialist care. Hear from professionals Professor Brian Kirby, Consultant Dermatologist, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, who features in the series, says: “The key for a person who is newly diagnosed with psoriasis is to understand that with access to modern therapies, 99% of psoriasis patients can have their disease controlled adequately. While waiting lists continue to be an issue that has worsened through the Covid-19 pandemic, people living with psoriasis can take steps to manage their condition while they wait. This video and podcast series can provide vital information — in an accessible format — from the healthcare professionals they are waiting to see.” Content for the four episodes has been informed by feedback from people living with psoriasis in Ireland who highlight the need for information and support during the long waiting times. It also highlights the need for greater education on the associated possibility of developing a related inflammatory form of arthritis — psoriatic arthritis.
PsO Let’s Talk Psoriasis is available free of charge online at janssenwithme.ie/pso/resources/pso-lets-talk-psoriasis. Podcast audio versions are also available on Audioboom, the Apple Podcast App, Google Play Music, Spotify and more. References available upon request.
Paid for by Janssen Find out more at janssenwithme.ie/pso/resources/pso-lets-talk-psoriasis
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It does not have to be sunny for UV rays to damage the skin. When the UV index is three or above, you must protect your skin. ~Bernie Carter, MSc, Senior Oncology Nurse, Assistant Director of Nursing, Marie Keating Foundation
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