Latest news with #sunSafety
BreakingNews.ie
08-07-2025
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
Tanning marketing exposing young people to skin cancer risk, doctor warns
A lifestyle medicine doctor is worried that trends such as sunburnt tan lines and the resurgence in sunbed use means young people are going backwards when it comes to sun safety. As we face into weekend forecasts of soaring temperatures, Dr Kate McCann says young people are being drawn into tanning marketing at a time when over 11,000 new cases of skin cancer are being diagnosed each year in Ireland. Advertisement "The hashtag #sunburntlines has more than 200 million views on TikTok but intentional sunburn lines aren't the only example of young people's obsession with tanned skin as another trend sees people tattooing tan lines into their chests," she said. "We had been making great progress in realising that tanning isn't a sign of beauty, it's a sign of skin damage. We've been great in promoting awareness of sun safety but now it seems, we really are going backwards. "We are now starting to see the use of sunbeds going back up after having been a trend to get away from and the use of tanning oils is on the rise again. We know that the use of sunbeds before age 35 can increase risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, by 75 per cent." The Dublin based preventative health doctor who lives in Ashbourne, Co Meath says the marketing influence of tanning among influencers on social media platforms and TV is worrying. Advertisement "There are more and more people under 35 years of age who are not worried about premature ageing and they see their beauty as a short-term thing. They are being targeted by online trends promoting health misinformation, such as the use of cooking oil for faster tanning. It's just exposing you to increased risk of skin damage. "Even one severe sunburn - that is a sunburn that blisters or peels - as a child or teen doubles the risk of skin cancer later in life. Nine out of 10 cases of skin cancer come from UV exposure from sun or sunbeds. This is really a concern among health professionals right now as there is a huge amount of health misinformation being circulated on social media about sunscreen. Dr Kate McCann says young people are being drawn into tanning marketing. "We have also gone back 25 years to tan lines trends that were fashionable back then. Using sunblock or stickers on your skin while you tan to leave a white mark or 'tattoo' behind is now in vogue again.' Tanning has been shown to be addictive for some people. Dr McCann advocates for positive body image which includes skin tone. Advertisement "I say, own your tone. All skin tones are beautiful. "Look in the mirror and say I am who I am and I am beautiful, whatever your skin colour is. It's not 'pasty' - I would say 'pure porcelain perfection''. "The trends are worrying but we can still promote sun safety awareness through healthy family habits: Slip on a shirt, slap on a hat, slide on some shades, seek some shade – and slop on the sunscreen or a mineral sunblock. We need to have ongoing discussion with our children and teens about beauty trends and body image. No trend looks as beautiful as healthy feels.' Dr McCann urges everyone to fact check influencer and social media claims when it comes to skin health and sun safety, and encourages families and patients to use trusted resources like the Irish Cancer Society website.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mum diagnosed with skin cancer after family spotted suspicious mole on holiday
A mother-of-two was diagnosed with skin cancer after her family spotted a suspicious mole on holiday. Fran Ireland, 45, from Ramsbottom, was on a trip to Turkey in 2022 when her partner and two daughters noticed an unusual mole on her upper body. After returning home, she visited her GP and was referred to a dermatologist who performed a full body check. Fran Ireland with her partner Matthew (Image: Supplied) The specialist identified concerns about a second area on her leg, and both moles were removed for testing. A week later, she was told the mole on her leg was a malignant melanoma. Ms Ireland said: "My melanoma diagnosis was a huge shock and a very difficult time. "I'm so glad I saw my GP quickly and was referred to a dermatologist. "My first thought was for my family as I didn't want them to worry." Ms Ireland, a mental health midwife and former sunbed user, is now urging others to avoid sunbeds and enjoy the sun safely. She said: "Awareness of the risks was low when I was younger and I would never dream of using a sunbed now as I know how dangerous they are. "I've changed my entire approach to holidays and sitting outside since my diagnosis. "Now, I make sure I'm covered up and take some time out of the sun in the middle of the day, as well as always being prepared with hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. "I also use fake tan. "It's natural to want to make the most of warmer days, but sun safety doesn't mean missing out, just being careful whether you're at home or abroad." Ms Ireland with her daughter Evie (Image: Supplied) Cancer Research UK estimates that around 87 per cent of UK melanoma cases are preventable and caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and sunbeds. With around 2,200 people diagnosed each year in the North West, Ms Ireland is determined to help raise awareness. She has joined forces with Cancer Research UK and NIVEA Sun to encourage people to seek shade, cover up, and apply sunscreen regularly and generously. After surgery at The Christie just before Christmas to remove additional tissue from her leg, Ms Ireland spent the festive season recuperating. She said: "It could have been a different story but now, thanks to advances in research and treatment, I'm still here and looking forward to enjoying more precious moments with my loved ones this summer." Ms Ireland is now urging others to avoid sunbeds (Image: Supplied) Beth Vincent, health information manager at Cancer Research UK, said: "Today, more than nine in 10 people diagnosed in the North West will survive their melanoma for five years or more. "Getting sunburnt just once every two years can triple the risk of developing skin cancer, compared to never being burnt. "If you notice anything different on your skin like a new mole, a mole that's changed in size, shape, or colour, or any patch of skin that looks out of the ordinary - don't ignore it, speak to your GP." READ MORE: IN PICTURES: Superheroes take over Bury town centre, attracting thousands Chocolatier set to open new 'viral' cafe in Bury town centre Nestle says 'sorry' as it discontinues KitKat described as 'dream snack' NIVEA Sun recommends spending time in the shade between 11am and 3pm, covering up with clothing and a wide-brimmed hat, and using sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and four or five-star UVA protection. Skin cancer is more common in people over 50, but it can affect anyone. Those at higher risk include people with lighter skin, numerous moles or freckles, and a family history of skin cancer. For more advice or to support skin cancer research, visit
BBC News
02-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Sun safety in Guernsey is 'imperative,' says charity
Sun safety work in Guernsey is "imperative", according to a charity currently working to raise awareness of early detection and prevention of skin cancer. Male Uprising Guernsey (MUG) has sponsored suncream at more than 25 locations across the island, including Vale Primary School and The Big said they were raising awareness after being approached by Public Health and the Health Care Group to run the initiative. As well as saying the work was "imperative", Tony Tostevin, from MUG, said "It's a major issue that we need to educate the youngsters up through to adults on what they should be looking for and looking out for." Suncream 'makes a difference' Vale Primary School has benefited from MUG's latest campaign and is also sun safe accredited by the Juliet Bell, the school's sun safe ambassador, said the suncream "makes a huge difference."She said: "We always think about sun safety whether we are working outside with the children, or on trips, to make sure there is plenty of shade and everyone has water to drink. As part of the accreditation, the school had a sun hat policy, where students without a hat stay in the are also encouraged to apply suncream before they attend school, and top it up throughout the day. Pupil Hattie, 9, said: "When UV levels are three or above, we should wear sunscreen and sun hats." Ollie, 10, said: "Each class at our school has their own [suncream]... and we put them on at lunch and break."Each school follows the States of Guernsey's Sun Safe Policy, which a spokesperson for the Education Department said was the "bare minimum expectation for all schools". Some schools may have their own policy which compliments and build upon the States' guidelines. For example, La Mare De Carteret Primary School and St Martins are "compulsory hat" schools and have been for some years. Meanwhile, more work was being done at secondary school level to ensure students were taking more sun-safe precautions, the charity said. St Sampson's High School introduced sun safe monitors to dish out free suncream and sun safety advice at break and lunchtimes. Lee Thomas, subject lead of personal development at St Sampson's, said the skin cancer rates in Guernsey were "awful to hear."Mr Thomas said the personal development team across all secondary schools came up with a sun safety initiative "using students to talk to students.""Everyone in school can see where the free suncream is if they need it," he 11, is a sun safety monitor. She said seeing the struggles of someone she knew with cancer inspired her to take on the role. The Channel Islands Coop also sponsors suncream for school trips and additional bottles for lessons. Rajesh Amin, superintendent pharmacist from the Co op Pharmacy Guernsey, said: "It's so, so important, especially on this island, to protect the whole community."This story is part of BBC Guernsey's Sun Safety Campaign.
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
How sun-conscious is Guernsey's culture?
An islander living in Australia says she feels Guernsey could do more to promote a better sun-safe Chapple moved to Australia a year-and-a-half ago after spending the first 20 years of her life growing up in said she gave little thought to wearing sun protection when she lived in Guernsey but it had now become second nature."Since moving to Australia, it's now a case of you've got your towel, you've got your bathers, you've got your suncream. In Guernsey, I didn't think of that so much." 'A culture and push' Ms Chapple said in Australia, free suncream is given out at beach hot spots and there are tax-free deductions for suncream where you can claim a rebate from the government. "It's something the government is actively trying to encourage and make people aware of.""[In Guernsey] I used to leave the house without suncream on," Ms Chapple said. She said she thought her change in attitude towards sun-safety was because Australia got more sun, "But, at the same time, I think there's a culture and push from the government as well to really protect against skin cancer." So what do other islanders think? Joey Barling said she became more sun-conscious since having said that's down to "more awareness," in the community and Barling said "I don't think [Guernsey's sun-safe culture] is great... I think there could be more around and about to boost awareness." Hilda, at Pembroke Bay, said she wears suncream every day "even in the winter" because "the doctor thought it was a good idea." Keith Mansell, also at Pembroke, said he was not wearing, or had not packed, any suncream for his spontaneous trip to the beach. "I think if you want to use suncream then that's your personal choice. I don't think we need to be nannied around that sort of thing.""People are aware - there's lots of awareness about, both in the papers and on TV, so it's up to people to make their personal choice."BBC Guernsey has launched a Sun Safety Campaign about early detection and prevention of skin cancers, and will speak to experts about the importance of sun safety over the summer months.
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
BBC Radio Derby Sun Safe campaign focusses on outdoor work
A campaign to make Derbyshire one of the most sun safe places in the country is getting to work on people that earn a living 2015, BBC Radio Derby has been campaigning to raise awareness of the dangers the sunshine can pose in memory of presenter and Derby County commentator Colin Bloomfield, who died aged 33 from melanoma skin and people who work outside - including roofers, gardeners, farmers and delivery drivers - are being urged to sign up for a free online Radio Derby executive producer Rachael Gilchrist said people working outdoors were exposed to eight times more radiation than indoor workers. She said: "Preventing skin cancer for future generations was something Colin was very passionate about and is an important part of his legacy."Outdoor workers are the highest risk for all skin cancers."We are hoping that by reaching out to those who work outside regularly, we can help them to stay safe in the sun."The free online course is available for a limited time through BBC Radio Derby's Make a Difference page and can be complete in under an interactive course is aimed at people who work outdoors and offers advice and information about skin that is exposed to UV and sun consistently.
