Sun-Smart Campaign
Our lifestyle certainly influences the development of certain types of cancer. Leading a healthy life can shorten the possibilities of developing the disease. Thus information on cancer prevention is essential. The Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends organizes educational campaigns with the aim of cancer prevention and detection. Prevention means minimizing the exposure to the causes of cancer and reducing the contact that individuals have with anything that causes cancer. Through this approach The Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends promotes public health for the long-term prevention of cancer. A healthier diet can certainly benefit, as well as less exposure to sun. We encourage people to eat healthy, exercise at least three times a week, avoid smoking and drinking, protect themselves from the sun. Early detection means increasing awareness of the signs and symptoms that can lead to cancer and inform the people on how to detect the disease in less advanced stages. Our campaigns’ goal is towards this prevention and early detection of cancer, which can be achieved by educating and informing the public.
Stay sun smart
The Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends continues the awareness campaign on sun safety, having as its main aim skin cancer prevention and protection from the ultraviolet radiation.
The skin’s elasticity and collagen is damaged mainly from the UVA and UVB rays, the latter being responsible for melanin production. UVA penetrates beyond the top layer of human skin. Scientists believe that UVA radiation can cause damage to connective tissue and increase a person's risk for developing skin cancer. UVB rays penetrate less deeply into the skin than do UVA rays, but also can be damaging.
Although everyone faces the risk of developing skin cancer, some individuals are at greater risk than others:
- Light skin color
- Family history of skin cancer
- Personal history of skin cancer
- Chronic exposure to the sun
- History of sunburns early in life
- Certain types and a large number of moles
- Freckles as an indicator of sun sensibility
- Sun damage
Relatively speaking, the hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. during daylight are the most hazardous for UV exposure in Cyprus. For eye protection, wear wraparound sunglasses that provide 100 percent UV ray protection, and a hat. Always wear sunscreen protection against both UVA and UVB rays and lipscreen with at least SPF 15. Remember to reapply as indicated by the manufacturer's directions. Also, check the sunscreen’s expiration date, it can last no more than three years. Exposure to extreme temperatures can shorten the expiration date or shelf life of sunscreen.
A new study published in the Archives of dermatology, at the Comprehensive Cancer Research Center of Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Australia, suggested that by applying sunscreen every day even on days that you are not planning to spend time in the sun reduces the formation of Actinic Keratoses, a potential precursor to skin cancer. Actinic Keratoses is described as small, scaly patches that develop when the skin has burned, most frequently on the face.
DON’T FORGET YOUR SUNSCREEN especially in areas where the sun is intense.
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