Chelsea goes sun savvy in provincial sun safety campaign
Chelsea Preparatory School shows how being sun savvy can save you from developing skin cancer later in life.
AS WINTER draws to an end and spring starts to blossom, the Skin Cancer Foundation of South Africa (SCFSA) urges young and old to take care of their skin ahead of National Skin Cancer Screening Day on 1 September.
The SCFSA is aimed at driving public awareness and education, particularly in terms of sun protection and skin cancer prevention.
“Skin cancer is growing at a disturbing rate and South Africa has the second highest incidence of skin cancer in the world. It is, however, a highly preventable lifestyle disease,” said Dr Derek Odendaal, president of the South African Society for Dermatological Surgery and one of the founder members of the SCFSA.
The foundation stressed that the first step towards reducing skin cancer risk, is sun protection in youth. A child’s skin is thinner than an adult’s, and is far more sensitive. It means that they are more vulnerable to more sun damage within a shorter space of time. In addition to this, most of us receive our total lifetime of sun exposure before we turn 18 years old.
The foundation said parents should always be aware of sunburn and the risk of skin cancer when their children spend too much time in the harsh sun without proper protection. If children are not wearing sunscreen during the school day and sporting activities, often at the most dangerous time of the day (between 10am and 2pm), it is increasing their risks later on in life.
National Skin Cancer Screening Day, is SCFSA’s way of mobilising each and every dermatologist in the country to reach as many South Africans as possible – particularly those who would ordinarily not be afforded the opportunity of being screened for skin cancer,”says Dr DerekOdendaal.
“We have appealed to all dermatologists to make themselves and their resources available to screen 20 patients as part of a special half-day session on a pro bono basis. These screenings are not mole-mapping procedures, but will specifically guide patients and inform patients what to look out for. We will also teach them how to inspect themselves and their families for early signs of skin cancer while sharing the best prevention methods with them,” explained Dr Odendaal.
For screening sites (participating dermatologist near you) visitwww.skincancerfoundation.org.za
Be Sun Safe School Programme
NIVEA Sun and SunSavvy, an organisation created by concerned Durban moms, Donna Short and Hayleigh Bott, have begun installation of sunscreen dispensers filled with Nivea Sun Moisturising Sun Spray SPF 50+ in school classrooms and outdoor play areas.
The project, named Be Sun Safe, has been underway in KwaZulu-Natal since the beginning of this year, with long term plans to roll out across South Africa. The serviced dispensers make sunscreen instantly accessible when and where it is needed most.
The programme has been well received by registered schools. A total of 119 sunscreen dispensers have been installed in 26 schools in KwaZulu-Natal since the start of the year. This means that, through the programme, approximately 3 000 school-goers are safely protected during their school day and sport.
The Be Sun Safe programme, which includes sun safety education, is aimed at instilling responsible sun safety habits in children.
“Moms are often too busy to apply sunscreen. Even if sunscreen is applied in the morning, it still needs to be reapplied later on in the day, especially after sweating or swimming. Even on cloudy days, the sun can be dangerous,” explained Hayleigh Bott.
For as little as R60 per child (once off, per year) each class can have its own sunscreen dispenser. NIVEA will also donate a year’s worth of sunscreen to an under-resourced school in KwaZulu-Natal this year.
Schools interested in participating can email info@sunsavvy.co.za or contact Hayleigh Bott on 082 419 2969 or Donna Short on 082 307 6414.
