How to keep your skin safe this Melanoma Awareness Month

The month of May marks Melanoma Awareness month. Around 1,290 people are diagnosed with melanoma each year in Ireland, according to the Irish Cancer Society.

Although we are loving the sun at the moment, we need to make sure we are enjoying it sensibly.

Our health is much more important. Here is some information on what melanoma is and how to spot it.

What is melanoma?

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. It affects the cells that make melanin, which are called melanocytes. When the melanocytes change and begin to grow out of control, this is when melanoma develops.

Melanoma is not the most common type of skin cancer, however, if it spreads to different parts of the body, it can be difficult to treat.

What are the causes of melanoma?

The majority of melanoma is caused due to ultraviolet (UV) exposure. This can come from the sun or sunbeds.

If you have fair skin, moles or a large number of freckles on your body, you may be at a higher risk of developing melanoma. If your moles are unusually shaped or are larger than 6mm, then there may be a more increased risk.

It is recommended to check your moles using the ABCDE method:

A. Asymmetrical moles: Has there been a change in the shape of a mole? For example, is one side different to the other?

B. Border of a mole: Do the edges of a mole look different? For example, blurred or jagged?

C. Colour: Have you noticed a change in the colour of a mole?

D. Diameter (width): Have you noticed a change in the size of a mole?

E. Evolving: Have you noticed a mole which has changed or evolved?

Finding and diagnosing melanoma at an early stage can lead to a better chance of successful treatment.

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How do you prevent melanoma?

There are many ways to reduce the risk of melanoma, however, there is no definitive way of preventing it.

Don’t use sunbeds. The UVs from sunbeds are much stronger than the UVs from the sun, meaning all sunbed users are at an increased risk of developing melanoma.

The HSE have a 5-step SunSmart guide to follow which can help you to protect your skin from the sun:

1. Slip on clothing that will cover your skin from the sun- For example, long sleeves or collared shirts.

2. Slop on sunscreen, ensuring to reapply to your skin often. Broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) water-resistant sunscreen is recommended. Factor 30+ is recommended for adults while 50+ is recommended for children.

3. Slap on a hat. It is suggested to use a wide-brimmed hat which will help to protect your face, ears and neck.

4. Slide on a pair of UV-protected sunglasses to keep your eyes protected.

5. Seek shade. UV rays are usually at their highest between 11am and 3pm. Make sure to use a sunshade if you have a buggy.

Before leaving your house, always check the UV index- you can find this on any weather app.

It is recommended to use sun protection if the UV index is 3 or over. No matter whether it’s sunny or cloudy- make sure that your skin is protected from these UV rays.