This May is Melanoma Awareness Month, a global initiative to promote the early detection and prevention of skin cancer. This year La Roche-Posay, along with the Irish Cancer Society, has launched its SOS Save Our Skin campaign to address the increasing problem of skin cancer in Ireland.
The campaign was launched by Minister for Health Dr. James Reilly who plans to enforce an age limit on sun beds - an important step in preventing skin cancer.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland with over 8,100 new cases diagnosed in 2009. 90% of all skin cancers are preventable, with virtually all the risk coming from the sun and sun beds. With 80% of sun damage occurring before the age of 20, protection in children vital. While using sun cream on your child will prevent their skin from burning, it will also decrease their risk of developing skin cancer later in life. Irish children are particularly vulnerable to skin cancer because of their skin type so protection is essential.
As part of the SOS Save Our Skin campaign Eccles Private Clinic inassociation with the Mater PrivateHospitalis offering free Specialist Diagnostic & Surgical Support on May 25th. Dermatologists, GPs, pharmacies and social media are promoting the campaign and encouraging members of the public to get their moles/suspicious lesions checked. The public are also being encouraged to adopt safe behaviour in the sun this summer by using plenty of high-factor sun cream and limiting their time in direct sunlight.
www.sossaveourskin.ie is a public health website dedicated to the early screening of skin cancer. It enables the public to learn more about skin cancer, safety in the sun and to diagnose their personal risk level. The site will show users how to self-check moles and provide a mole map. The Irish public are urged to look out for new lumps, growths or changes to existing moles, and also to be vigilant about monitoring moles in general. All details and pictures for reference are available on www.sossaveourskin.ie.
Early detection is vital to skin cancer treatment so if you have any concerns be sure to visit your dermatologist or GP without delay.
