HEALTH
Beat the burn, be SunSmart! The days are longer, sandals have replaced slippers and we’re venturing outdoors. This can only mean one thing; summer is here! The excitement can be felt, literally, on our skin. Did you know that sunburn can occur within 15 minutes, causing permanent, irreversible damage which adds up with each exposure to the sun? Over time, this damage may lead to skin cancer, which is why the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) urges all South Africans to be SunSmart and serious about protecting their skin. The World Cancer Research Fund says that skin cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. South Africa has one of the highest monitored ultraviolet (UV) levels in the world, and one of the highest incidences of skin cancer globally.
104 | December 2021
Additionally, although people with blonde or red head hair with light skin, freckles and green or blue eyes are more at risk for sunburn and skin damage, it’s important to remember that everyone, regardless of their ethnic group, is at risk of getting skin cancer.
Early detection of skin cancer is key to beating it Lorraine Govender, CANSA’s National Manager for Health Promotion, says, “It’s vital to be aware of changes to your skin – early detection of skin cancer is key to beating it. CANSA
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