Get screened for skin cancer on Spring Day

GET screened for skin cancer free-of-charge on National Skin Cancer Screening Day on Tuesday, 1 September.

The Skin Cancer Foundation of South Africa (SCFSA) is an independent, self-funded organisation dedicated to preventing skin cancer and has implemented National Skin Cancer Screening Day, where South Africans can be screened for skin cancer free-of-charge.

SCFSA invites the public to visit the website skincancerfoundation.org.za in order to set-up an appointment with one of the participating dermatologists. Names and contact details of dermatologists are published on the website and appointments can be set-up on a first come, first served basis. Given the intensive nature of the screening, each participating dermatologist will be able to see only 10 patients on 1 September.

The SCFSA has appealed to all dermatologists to make themselves and their resources available to screen patients on a pro-bono basis. Mole-mapping procedures will not be undertaken, but dermatologists will specifically guide and inform patients what to look out for. Patients will also be taught how to inspect themselves and their families for early signs of skin cancer, while sharing the best prevention methods with them.

Sunburn advice from the SCF:

• Don’t wait for a healthy red glow to appear before reaching for your hat or sunblock. In fact, most sunburns do not reach their peak colour until six to twenty-four hours after sun exposure.
• Always wear protective clothing, hats and shirts before going out into the sun;
• Even 30 minutes in the sun without protection is too long;
• Remember, as you move inland, above sea level, the sun’s rays become more intense;
• Avoid being out in the sun between 11am and 3pm when the sun is at its strongest;
• Don’t skip the sunscreen when it is slightly overcast, particularly not if you are on the beach, since ultraviolet light can penetrate light cloud cover;
• Exposure to the sun while overdressed only adds to skin distress. So do thick lotions and oils, such as petroleum jelly, which prevent moisture evaporation and therefore block pores resulting in heat rash;
• Beware of the glare, particularly at the seaside, where you are unlikely to find natural shade. Do not rely on a beach umbrella alone since it cannot protect the very young or elderly from the reflected glare of sun on sand. Instead, pitch a small beach tent, which will provide adequate shelter;
• UVA rays pass through glass. A person sitting near a window (unless tinted for sun screening) is also susceptible to the damaging rays of the sun.