The HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and Healthy Ireland have teamed up with Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps to support the Healthy Ireland SunSmart campaign.
The SunSmart campaign encourages us all to enjoy the sun safely by being SunSmart when outdoors, especially from April to September.
As part of this campaign, Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps coaches are being trained in skin cancer prevention and how to introduce the SunSmart 5 S’s to children in a fun way. The coaches can then act as positive role models for children attending the camps and encourage them to protect their skin by following the SunSmart 5 S’s when outside.
Taking part in sport and leisure activities outdoors is good for our physical and mental health, while also being fun. It can also mean being outside for long periods of time which can increase the risk of sun damage and skin cancer. In Ireland, ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is usually strongest from April to September, especially between 11am-3pm. Even when it is cloudy it is important to protect skin, as the sun’s UV rays can travel through cloud.
Children and young people are particularly vulnerable to the damaging effects of the sun’s UV rays. When children are taking part in sports or playing and spending time outdoors, it is important to protect their skin. If a child is badly sunburned more than 3 times before the age of 20, they more than double their risk of skin cancer as an adult.
Dr Triona McCarthy, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, HSE NCCP says: “We know that UV damage during childhood and adolescence significantly increases the risk of skin cancer later in life. Establishing good sun protection habits early on is also important, as behaviours learned at a young age are more likely to be adopted for life. We can all protect our skin and enjoy the outdoors by following the simple Healthy Ireland SunSmart 5 S’s.”
Healthy Ireland’s SunSmart 5 S’s show how to enjoy spending time outdoors, while protecting your skin and avoiding sunburn:
• Slip on clothing: We need to cover our skin as much as we can, using tops that have long sleeves to cover arms and collars to cover our neck.
• Slop on broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen on exposed areas. Children need a stronger sunscreen than adults, with a SPF of at least 50, while adults should wear a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30. The sunscreen used should be water resistant and be reapplied every couple of hours.
• Slap on a wide-brimmed hat: This will shade the face, ears and neck from the sun.
• Seek shade – especially if outdoors between 11am and 3pm and always use a sunshade on a child’s buggy.
• Slide on sunglasses to protect eyes.
Remember even when it is cloudy you should protect your skin as the sun’s UV rays can penetrate clouds.
Seán Gannon, National Cúl Camp Coordinator, GAA says: “We are delighted to support the SunSmart campaign and help raise awareness of steps you, your family and friends can take to protect your skin from the sun to reduce your risk of skin cancer. At Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps, we are making sun safety a priority while ensuring children at the camps have an action-packed and fun-filled week of activity. We encourage everyone to enjoy a healthy outdoor lifestyle while also following the SunSmart 5 S’s.”
For more information and to learn how to protect yourself and your family, visit the SunSmart hub at www.hse.ie/sunsmart and check out #SunSmart on social media.
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