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Protecting Your Skin to Prevent Sun Damage and Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer and Sun Damage Prevention | UPMC Ireland

Sunburns can cause irreversible damage from harmful UVA and UVB rays. It is important to note that summer isn’t the only time to protect your skin. Although the rays are more intense during the warmer months, our skin is vulnerable all year long — even when driving in a car.

UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin’s outermost layer, known as the epidermis, and are the main culprit in ageing. UVB rays burn the surface of the skin and are responsible for causing immediate damage, like rashes, sunburn, and eventually skin cancer, which is the most common form of cancer throughout the world.

In Ireland, over 11,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year, making it the most common cancer in the country, according to the Irish Cancer Society. That averages roughly 30 new cases per day.

This number is expected to double by 2040, largely due to increased UV exposure from the sun. The good news is that up to 90% of cases are curable if caught early, so regular skin checks and sun protection are vital.

Types of Skin Cancer

There are three major types of skin cancers: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. Although melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, when caught early, the survival rate is nearly 99%. Still, an estimated 270 people die from melanoma each year according to the National Cancer Registry Ireland.

Skin cancer can affect anyone, though there is a higher risk for those with extensive sun exposure or who regularly engage in indoor tanning.

Additional risk factors include:

  • Moles: People with moles, especially atypical or unusual ones.
  • Light skin and eyes: Anyone with a fair complexion, blonde or red hair, blue eyes, and freckles are at increased risk for developing melanoma.
  • Family history: If a close relative is diagnosed with skin cancer, your risk is two to three times higher than average.
  • Familial melanoma: Although rare, gene mutations can be passed down through generations.
  • Previous case of skin cancer: Having cancer in the past puts you at risk for recurrence.

Knowing your risks and seeing a dermatologist for a full body skin exam once a year is your best defence against any form of skin cancer.

Know the Skincare Alphabet

Dermatologists and doctors recommend evaluating moles using the ABCDEs.

Look at each mole on the basis of:

  • Asymmetry (one half of the mole doesn’t match the other).
  • Border irregularity.
  • Colour that is not uniform and often dark.
  • Diameter greater than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser).
  • Evolving in size, shape, or color.

Use these letters as a guide to examine moles that appear suspicious.

Protection is Key

Many people remain confused about how much or how often to apply sunscreen.

Use these tips for sun protection all year long:

  • Apply a sunscreen that’s water resistant and broad spectrum (meaning it protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays).
  • Use the right amount — which is roughly 30ml (six teaspoons) for your body and an additional teaspoon for your face and neck.
  • Choose an SPF of 30 and above and cover the parts of your body that will be exposed to the sun, including the tops of your ears, scalp, and feet, as well as the back of the neck, nose, and lips.
  • Reapply every two hours and every 90 minutes when active, sweating, or swimming.
  • Avoid peak sun hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
  • Avoid tanning beds.

Take Charge of Your Skin Health

Skin cancer is highly treatable when detected early, which is why vigilance is so important. At UPMC, our consultants treat a wide range of conditions affecting the skin, including rashes, wounds, tumours, moles, and ulcers. Some of these conditions may be systemic i.e., affecting the whole body. If you notice any unusual changes in your skin, it’s important to stay vigilant and discuss concerns with your GP. For specialised care, UPMC also works with the Rose Clinic, offering expert dermatology services at UPMC Whitfield Hospital in Waterford and the UPMC Outreach Centre in Carlow.

Learn more about our Dermatology services to understand the conditions we manage and how to protect your skin.