Be SunSmart get a UV Smart Armband
Enjoy summer by being safe in the sun this January and February, advises the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA).
Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in South Africa and is the result of skin cell damage, which begins in the lower part of the epidermis (top layer of the skin). This is important especially now after wrapping up the December holidays and gearing up to go back to school, athletics and school sports.
“We can develop skin cancer when we ignore our bodies’ signals to avoid sunlight. It’s important to know how to reduce your risk of skin cancer, especially during summer when the sun’s rays are the harshest, so use an approved CANSA SunSmart Choice approved sun screen and protective clothing,” said Andries du Preez, CANSA Community Mobiliser Highveld.
CANSA also warns against tanning. In recent years there has been a considerable increase in the use of sunless and self-tanning products such as sprays, mousses, gels, pills, nasal sprays injections called Melanotan 1 and 11.
Melanotan 11 has serious side effects, and may induce malignant melanoma. CANSA warns against this product. Although some self-tanning products contain sunscreen, it offers minimal ultraviolet radiation protection. It does not provide protection from the ultraviolet rays of the sun and CANSA strongly discourages individuals to use any form of tanning product. Topical sunless tanning products that contain Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) prevent the formation of Vitamin D in the skin when exposed to the sun.
Andries advises sun-lovers to make the CANSA SunSmart Choice.
“Use a good and reputable SPF (use a sunscreen that bears the CANSA seal of recognition). Wear thickly–woven fabric hats with broad brims, avoid caps and hats that leave the neck and ears exposed and wear sunglasses with a UV protection rating of UV400.”Take one step further, be SunSmart and for only R30 buy a UV Smart Armband.
Monitor the UV radiation you and your family are exposed to all year round with a CANSA UV Smart Armband that turns darker in colour as the radiation intensifies and protect yourself in relation to the intensity of the harmful UV rays.
For more information regarding CANSA, SunSmart Choices, products please do not hesitate to contact Cansa 013 813 1100 or visit them at 19 A Northey Street.
You can also contact Andries: 072 248 9424, e-mail adupreez@cansa.org.za or Daphne Botha: 082 643 9596 or e-mail dbotha@cansa.org.za.
