The Marie Keating Foundation is urging the public to be ‘SunSmart’ this weekend (June 22nd-24th 2018)  and into next week. This comes as Met Eireann says temperatures will rise considerably from Friday, with very warm or even hot conditions developing next week.

The weekend will see temperatures rise, with highs of between 19° – 24°celcius and plenty of sunshine. The solar UV index is particularly high today (Thursday) and Friday.

“As a nation we love to get out when the sun shines, but it is important that we look after our skin and follow the SunSmart code. These are easy steps anyone can take to help protect their skin from sun damage and ensure we enjoy the sun safely.” Liz Yeates, CEO, Marie Keating Foundation and skin cancer survivor

• Always wear sunscreen
• Wear protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses
• Choose a sunscreen that has good protection against UVA rays as well as a high SPF
• Never, ever use sunbeds
• Avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm

“When it comes to sunscreen in particular there is lots of misconceptions and a lack of understanding around what is considered safe. It is key that you look for a brand that offers both UVA and UVB protection and is rated five star ideally. There are also many myths around how much sunscreen to apply and how long it lasts, it is key that people get a better understanding, as rates of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, are rising faster than any other cancer.”

The Marie Keating Foundation is reminding the public to apply cream 20-30 minutes before going out in the sun. To ensure it’s applied thickly and evenly every 2 hours no matter how high its protection. Apply the equivalent of a shot glass full of sunscreen to each limb and about half this much on the face. Always reapply after swimming or perspiring and remember no sunscreen gives 100% protection from the sun. 

Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Patrick Ormond says: “Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland. Skin cancers are divided into two main types: melanoma and non –melanoma. Non- melanoma skin cancer has over 9,780 cases diagnosed every year and over 1,000 melanoma cancers are diagnosed annually. This is why using the SunSmart code and being vigilant in checking your skin is vital to preventing skin cancer”

For more information on skin cancer; https://mariekeating.ie/spotthedifference