I grew up in South Africa and was a real water baby. As a child I spent hours running around in my swimsuit, in and out of the water and baking myself under the hot sun. I even fell asleep in the sun during the Christmas holidays and burned my bum so bad that I couldn’t sit!
That was many years ago and the word melanoma wasn’t one I had ever heard. It wasn’t until I got a funny patch on my collar bone a few years ago that I really started to consider the cost. Thankfully the patch was removed and it was ok, it was however a real wake-up call.
Perfect timing – Melanoma Awareness
As a blogger I receive press releases on a regular basis. I glance and them and if they are relevant to my blog I will follow up. A few weeks ago we had just returned home after visiting a melanoma clinic for a check-up. All was good, but we were firmly reminded that we needed to wear Factor 30 if not Factor 50 at all times – not just on holidays and in the sunny weather.
Ping! An email arrived reminding me that May is Melanoma Awareness Month. Uriage a brand I love was calling on the public to adopt safe behaviour in the sun when abroad as well as in Ireland. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland with over 1,000 new cases diagnosed year, and on average 159 people dying annually. Cases of melanoma have almost trebled in the last 20 years.
UV rays come in two forms – UVA and UVB. UVA rays make up over 90% of the sun’s rays. They have a longer wavelength than UVB, allowing them to reach deeper within the skin. They pass through cloud, glass and water. These rays are responsible for Ageing of the skin and play a significant role in the development of skin cancer. UVB rays do not penetrate skin so deeply: they cause the skin to Burn, cause eye damage and also play a role in the development of skin cancers.
Uriage has gifted me this wonderful spray which is going to make keeping safe and protected so much easier. (It is available from many pharmacies and online)
Uriage Thermal Water Mist SPF 30 has the highest concentration of minerals and trace elements (52x richer than other Thermal Water available) and is proven to be soothing and fortifying for the skin. Its high mineral content and rich compositions makes it exceptional water with therapeutic properties. An anti-pollution shield associated to UV filter for an UVA/UVB protection
Be Melanoma Aware and know what to look for
With my few brushes with skin issues I have learnt a few things.
- Don’t panic. However if you have any questions or concerns get medical advice.
- Know what to look for. A quick google with show you images of good moles and bad moles. Many people have completely harmless ones, but it’s a great idea to keep an eye on them.
- Watch for changes – in many cases moles might be on a back or unseen. I take photos to compare (which I have found is exactly what the melanoma clinic does too).
- Finally, prevention is always a better option. Use the right sunscreen, and cover up!
After talking about sun, I feel I might need a bit of time with a cup of tea and a search for my next sun holiday.
Thanks for reading and please take care!
Kerry x
