Aotearoa New Zealand offers amazing landscapes, rivers and adventures, but it also offers high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, which if you don’t protect yourself and your whanau could lead to skin cancer in the future. Now is the time to join the SunSmart revolution.
There are simple every day precautions that you can take to reduce your risk of developing skin cancers and melanomas. The Cancer Society recommend slip, slop, slap and wrap. These four steps of protection are easy so why not try them out.
- Slip on clothing that covers as much of your body as possible, protecting areas of skin such as your neck, arms and legs.
- Slop on sunscreen that is water-resistance and has an SPF rating of 30 or above. It is important to remember to reapply your sunscreen protection every two hours (or after you have been in the water or sweating). Areas of the body that are often forgotten include your ears and feet/toes so make sure you spread the sunscreen all over your body and any areas that are not protected by clothing.
- Slap on a hat is a simple tip, whether you are going for a walk with the dog, taking the kids to the park or enjoying an afternoon at the beach. A wide brim had with flaps is best, especially if it covers your ear and neck area.
- Last but not least, wrap on sunglasses. A good fitting pair of sunglasses that offer UV radiation protection will give you the best care for your eyes when out in the New Zealand sunshine.
Skin cancer is becoming more and more prevalent with over 80,000 people getting skin cancer each year. This is a statistic no one wants to join! Skin cancer is categorized into two groups, Melanoma and Non-Melanoma skin cancer. Melanoma skin cancer is the most dangerous and can spread over the body rapidly if not treated.
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
Skin cancers can appear as a new spot, it can be changes to an existing freckle or mole (such as a change in colour, size or shape), look different to other spots on your body and more importantly, can appear anywhere.
Now is the time to become familiar with your moles, freckles and spots and if you notice any changes, have them checked by your doctor.
Early detection can help reduce the spread and severity of skin cancer.
