– The Cancer Association of South Africa (2010) –
Summer is almost upon us and, as South Africans, summer and sun go hand in hand. Looking forward to the summer holidays, it is important to remember looking after our skins and protecting it from harmful UV exposure.
In South Africa, we should almost put our sunscreen right next to our toothpaste and apply it as part of our daily routine. Spending time outdoors and enjoying the environment is beneficial to our whole being, but sufficient sun protection should not be neglected. Encouraging our children to apply sunscreen every day, instils a good habit and ensures an investment in their skins’ health for many years to come.
Should any of the risk factors below apply to you, you should take extra care in protecting your skin from the sun:
- a fair skin
- albinism
- presence of moles
- freckles
- family history of skin cancer
- naturally light hair
- blue, green or hazel eyes
- a tendency to burn rather than tan
- history of severe sunburn under the age of 20 years
- working outdoors: farming, road construction, etc.
- excessive exposure to the sun
Depletion of the ozone layer has further exposed us to more solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the surface of the earth, and not being filtered out in order to protect us. Getting more UV radiation causes us to sunburn faster and may cause more damage.
The amount of UV radiation reaching the earth’s surface depends on:
- The time of day – UV radiation is greatest at midday.
- The season – UV radiation is greatest in summer, less in spring, and least in the winter.
- Cloud cover – A thick, heavy layer of cloud blocks UV rays. Be aware that thin clouds may let the sun’s rays feel less hot, but they still can burn.
- The type of surface you are on – You can get much more UV radiation from surfaces like dry sand or water which reflects the sun’s rays back onto your skin, just like a mirror.
- Altitude – UV radiation increases by 8% with every 1 000 metres of altitude.
- Environment – UV radiation is strongest at the equator and gets weaker as you go towards the earth’s poles.
- Time spent in the sun – The longer you are out in the sun, the more UV radiation you are exposed to.
- What you’re wearing – Summer clothes often expose more skin to UV radiation.
Plan your outdoor activities and the appropriate UV protection accordingly!
Certain skin changes may appear due to sun exposure:
Light suntan, due to the activation of melanin producing cells. This pigment is then shared with neighbouring keratin-producing cells in an attempt to protect them from sun damage.
A ‘true’ tan begins to appear after 2-3 days’ exposure to sun and peaks 2-3 weeks later. A suntan is not a sign of good health. It serves as a defence mechanism to the skin but still permits UV rays to cause ageing and other skin changes.
Sunburn is the body’s reaction to an overdose of radiation. The skin’s cells get burnt and breaks down, allowing increased blood flow to the area and increased fluid into the cells, causing redness, swelling, pain, in severe cases, blistering.
Ageing is caused due to the added up common harmful effects of UVA rays over years. It damages the dermis, causing wrinkles and loss of elasticity
Leucoplakia is a slightly raised pale white blotch that may occur on the outer half of the lip. It is pre-cancerous, meaning that it may turn into a cancer if not treated.
Solar keratosis appears as a small irregular whitish-yellow or brown scaly thickening of skin, found on the neck, ears, hands, and outer half of the lower lip. This is not skin cancer but a warning that the skin is prone to cancer.
Skin cancers are mostly caused by repeated exposure to high levels of ultraviolet light. It is not necessary to get sunburnt to develop skin cancer. Just a few serious sunburns can increase your risk. The most common cancers are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma which comprise a quarter of all male and a fifth of all female cancers among South Africans.
The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) provides a few practical recommendations for ensuring safe sun exposure:
- Limit direct sun exposure during midday.
- Cover up against sun exposure – wear UV protective clothing.
- Wear a hat with a wide brim that covers your face, neck and ears.
- Use a sunscreen with an SPF20 or higher.
- Wear sunglasses that block UV rays.
- Consider the type of activity you are involved in and plan accordingly.
- Avoid sunlamps and tanning booths.
- Check your skin regularly.
- Check for the UV index provided on the weather report.
Having said all of the above, remember, it certainly is necessary to spend some time in the sunlight for the formation of vitamin D, which plays an important role in our bone health and -development, immunity, and blood formation. Just ‘play it safe’.
In short, you simply have to ‘CARE’:
C – Cover up.
A – Avoid the sun between 10:00 and 15:00.
R – Rub on sunscreen.
E – Examine your skin regularly.
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