WELL BEING
THE SUN HAS GOT ITS HAT ON! Have you? After long grey winter days and the added isolation from family and friends associated with Covid-19, who doesn’t want to be out in the sun!
Anne Walsh, B.Soc Wk, BA. is an Active Listener, trainer and previous email/helpline volunteer at Cancer Support France (CSF). She tells us about the sun and its effects on our health and skin. Being outside exercising, swimming, gardening and travelling, etc., addresses the most basic of human needs, that of enabling human connectedness with others and nature. Another gift of the sun is that of providing Vitamin D which is necessary for the development of strong bones. However, the benefits of the sun on our physical and psychological health can also have negative effects as it can be a major contributing factor in skin cancer. It is recognised that 95% of all skin cancers are attributed to or caused by over-exposure to UltraViolet (UV) rays from the sun or from lights in solariums which can cause changes in the structure and behaviour of cells. The skin is the largest organ in the human body protecting all our vital organs, our blood vessels, nerves, etc., and is made up of the epidermis or outer layer, the dermis and melanocytes. The latter controls the colour of our skin.
Melanoma) , there is approximately a 95%, 5-year survival rate, and most have an excellent cure rate if detected and treated early.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
WHAT’S WHAT? Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)This starts in the epidermis of the skin and accounts for about 70% of the nonmelanoma cancers. It grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) Often found on the ears and lips, this grows quickly and can spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma Starting in the melanocyte cells of the skin, melanomas tend to be rarer than other skin cancers but are far more serious if not diagnosed and treated early, as they can easily spread to other organs of the body, i.e. the brain, lymph nodes, lungs and bones. With all skin cancers (including
• We should all be vigilant and look out for changes in our existing skin spots, i.e. in shape, colour, size or texture (see Know Your Moles). • If certain spots bleed, are sore or itchy or don’t heal this could also be an indication of skin cancer. • Educate your partner or family regarding skin cancer and changes in spots they may see on you.
PROTECTION The best way to protect our skin is to be AWARE of the consequences of over exposure to the sun and use an appropriate cream like an SPF 30+ or higher broad–spectrum, waterresistant sunscreen. We need to cover our bodies, particularly our head and shoulders with adequate clothing, use hats and sunglasses and keep in the shade with parasols and the like. Fair skinned and older people are more at risk of the effects of UV light and subsequent damage. Check with your doctor or make an appointment with a dermatologist if you have any concerns, and the sooner the better.
“When applied properly, a sunscreen of SPF30 will provide better protection than an SPF50+ product which has been applied too thinly” (science.org) 56
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