Latest 'Healthy Wednesday' advice from the Hywel Dda Health Board
Latest 'Healthy Wednesday' advice from the Hywel Dda Health Board -
This Healthy Wednesday Here Comes the Sun – we hope!
With the summer on the way this Healthy Wednesday we are highlighting the risks of skin cancer in the summer sun.
A national public health campaign is running in all community pharmacies in Wales throughout May to raise awareness about the causes of skin cancer, how to recognise the symptoms and what steps people can take to reduce their risk.
Skin cancer is now one of the most common types of cancer in people between the ages of 15 to 34.
Early diagnosis has a big impact on skin cancer survival rates, but many people delay seeking advice if they are worried.
During this month, pharmacies will engage with people who are at greater risk of getting skin cancer to advise them on the steps they can take to reduce their risk, like seeking shade in the middle of the day, and keeping sunscreen with a high SPF topped up.
Tenovus, Wales' leading cancer charity, has also developed a wall chart sized mole checker which will be on display in pharmacies to enable people to reassure themselves that a blemish on their skin is not malignant or maybe be warned of something that may need to be looked into further.
Patients visiting pharmacies will also be invited to take a quiz to assess their usual behaviour in the sun as well as their awareness of how to reduce their risk of skin cancer.
Top tips to stay safe in the sun included:
This Healthy Wednesday Here Comes the Sun – we hope!
With the summer on the way this Healthy Wednesday we are highlighting the risks of skin cancer in the summer sun.
A national public health campaign is running in all community pharmacies in Wales throughout May to raise awareness about the causes of skin cancer, how to recognise the symptoms and what steps people can take to reduce their risk.
Skin cancer is now one of the most common types of cancer in people between the ages of 15 to 34.
Early diagnosis has a big impact on skin cancer survival rates, but many people delay seeking advice if they are worried.
During this month, pharmacies will engage with people who are at greater risk of getting skin cancer to advise them on the steps they can take to reduce their risk, like seeking shade in the middle of the day, and keeping sunscreen with a high SPF topped up.
Tenovus, Wales' leading cancer charity, has also developed a wall chart sized mole checker which will be on display in pharmacies to enable people to reassure themselves that a blemish on their skin is not malignant or maybe be warned of something that may need to be looked into further.
Patients visiting pharmacies will also be invited to take a quiz to assess their usual behaviour in the sun as well as their awareness of how to reduce their risk of skin cancer.
Top tips to stay safe in the sun included:
- Spend time in the shade when the sun’s UV are strong. During the UK summer the sun's UV rays are strongest between 11am and 3pm
- When there's no shade around, the best way to protect your skin from the sun is with loose clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and good quality sunglasses
- Sunscreens can be useful for protecting your skin from the sun's rays, if you can’t avoid sun exposure. However, they will not protect you completely from sun damage on their own. This is why it is recommended using sunscreens together with shade or clothing to avoid getting too much UV exposure
- Apply plenty of sunscreen and reapply it regularly. Sunscreen can be easily washed, rubbed or sweated off
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