2017 Campaign

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Preventing harmful UV exposure is the key to reducing the chances of skin cancer.

 

You only get one skin. It is your most precious garment, so look after it. Remember that the sun shines everywhere and that harmful UV rays can still damage your skin, even when it doesn’t feel hot outside.

 

Download, read and share.

 

We have prepared educational materials. You will find useful advices.

 

Feel free to download these documents and share them with your family, friends, colleagues...

 

People are traveling in your offices, lounges, corridors, health club, shops, waiting rooms?
Your job will take you to see, touch or take care of the skin of your clients? Do not miss out of danger.

 

Download and print this poster.

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Download the brochure and learn how to detect lesions at risk.

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Preventing skin cancer

Skin cancer is one of the world’s most common cancers. The good news is that it is usually treatable if detected early - and there are things we can do to prevent it.

Always be sunsafe

Avoid unnecessary exposure.

Seek shade where possible, and avoid the summer sun during the middle of the day.

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Wear protective clothing

Include dark colours, long sleeves, a widebrimmed hat and UV-rated sunglasses.

For children, look for clothing with inbuilt sun protection.

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Apply sunscreen

Check that yours has a high protection factor against both UVA and UVB rays. Remember that sunscreen takes effect around half an hour after its application and only lasts for two to three hours.

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Protect children

Children are at the greatest risk of long-term health issues related to unsafe sun exposure.

Outside play is important, but you should never let a child get sunburnt.

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Check your skin once a month for spots that:

 

  • Change size, colour and/or shape
  • Appear different to the rest (the ‘Ugly Duckling’ sign)
  • Are asymmetric or have uneven borders
  • Feel rough or scaly (sometimes you can feel lesions before you can see them)
  • Are multi-coloured
  • Are itchy
  • Are bleeding or oozing
  • Look pearly
  • Look like a wound but do not heal

 

If you see two or more of these warning signs, don’t delay. Visit your doctor immediately.

 

Melanoma

This is the least common form of skin cancer, but also the most dangerous. It can affect people of any age, unlike other types that are more common among older people.

 

It presents as a spot that becomes darkly pigmented or develops irregular edges or different colours over time, or as a rapidly-growing pink or red lump. It can spread internally, so immediate treatment is required.

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Basal cell carcinoma

This is the most common form of skin cancer, but also the least dangerous. It typically presents as an elevated skin-coloured lump with a shiny, pearl-like edge, a wound that does not heal, or a slightly crusty lump that grows slowly over time. If left untreated, it may ulcerate and invade deeper tissues.

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Squamous cell carcinoma

This is the second most common form of skin cancer, occurring in areas of the skin that have had a lot of sun exposure, such as the face and scalp. It presents as a crusty lump which may grow quickly and become ulcerated and weepy. It can spread rapidly, especially if on the lips, ears, fingers and toes, or in immunosuppressed patients. Surgical treatment to remove the lesions is essential.

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Actinic keratosis

This occurs most commonly in middle-aged and elderly people, on areas most exposed to the sun such as the face, neck, ears, back of the hands and scalp. It presents as red-brown scaly and rough patches of skin. The lesions are pre-cancerous; in 10– 15% of cases they may develop into squamous cell carcinomas, so they should be treated to prevent progression.

 

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