MBOMBELA- Today it’s World Cancer Day and everyone is encouraged to wear pink colours as a symbol of support to those who are affected by this dreadful illness.
Here are the signs and symptoms of cancer:
-Irregular borders on moles (ragged, notched, or blurred edges)
-Moles that are not symmetrical (one half doesn’t match the other)
-Colours that are not uniform throughout
-Moles that are bigger than a pencil eraser
-Itchy or painful moles
-New moles
-Sores that bleed and do not heal
-Red patches or lumps
Ways to protect yourself
.Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun when possible.
· Wear sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15.
· SPF refers to how long a person will be protected from a burn. (SPF 15 means a person can stay in the sun 15-times longer before burning.) SPF only refers to UVB protection.
· To protect against UVA, look for products containing: Mexoryl, Parsol 1789, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or avobenzone.
· Sunscreen performance is affected by wind, humidity, perspiration, and proper application.
· Throw away sunscreens after 1–2 years (they lose potency).
· Apply liberally (minimum of 1 oz) at least 20 minutes before sun exposure.
· Apply to ears, scalp, lips, neck, tops of feet, and backs of hands.
· Reapply at least every 2 hours and each time a person gets out of the water or perspires heavily.
· Some sunscreens may lose their effectiveness when applied with insect repellents.
· You may need to reapply more often.
· Wear clothing with a tight weave or high-SPF clothing.
· Wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses with UV protection and side panels.
Take breaks in shaded areas.
