Third of people never apply sunscreen

ALMOST one third of people never use sun protection in Ireland, with a further 30% only using it occasionally, according to a survey carried out on behalf of skin cancer research.

As part of May: Melanoma Awareness Month, dermatological brand Roche-Possay has launched a public awareness campaign, SOS Save Our Skin, to promote the early detection and prevention of skin cancer.

SOS Save Our Skin is a nationwide effort being promoted in dermatologists rooms, dermatology departments, GP surgeries, pharmacies and social media to encourage members of the public to get their moles or suspicious lesions checked and adopt safe behaviour in the sun.

As a part of the campaign, research was conducted on 451 people about their behaviour and attitudes towards the sun.

The research found:

* 62% spend more than three hours in the sun on a typical sunny summer’s day in Ireland.

* 47% of men never use sun protection when in Ireland, compared to 19% of women.

* 32% never use sun protection in Ireland and 30% only use it occasionally.

* 47% believe that the sun in Ireland “isn’t that strong” and cite this as a reason for not using sun protection.

* 14% believe that applying sunscreen is a waste of time.

According to researchers, melanoma — the most deadly type of skin cancer— will continue to rapidly rise in Ireland, with an increase of 41% in incidences of skin cancer in the last 10 years from 5,776 in 2000 to 8,145 in 2009.

The research also indicates there could be a trebling of malignant melanoma rates over the next 30 years, with people being diagnosed at a progressively younger age.

Speaking at the launch of the SOS Save Our Skin campaign, Health Minister James Reilly said he would urge the Irish public to look out for new lumps, growths or changes to existing moles, to be vigilant about monitoring moles and to check their partners moles.

“Check yourself, check your children, protect yourself and protect your children,” said Dr Reilly.

www.sossaveourskin.ie