May 2005

Cancer Society Warns against dangers of skin cancer

More than one in two people are still not using a strong enough sunscreen, while 34% are not applying any protection against cancer-causing rays, a survey from the Irish Cancer Society revealed this week.

They said that although people have been advised for decades to protect themselves against the sun many are still ignoring the warnings. Among the worst offenders are men over the age of 50, among whom 56% never use sunscreen. The survey also says that just a quarter of people who use sunscreen are applying it properly, which is putting it on 20 minutes before going out and every two hours after that. The survey added that there were 195 deaths from skin cancer in 2000-2001 and the majority of these were caused by UV rays from the sun, which can be present on even a cloudy day. The Most dangerous form of the cancer, malignant melanoma, is on the rise.

The advise is to use a sunscreen with a 15+ protection factor and, if that is not possible, to wear a hat and tightly woven clothing.

Back