|
Cancer Society News
|
|
| |
Welcome to the Cancer Society Otago Southland Division website
The Cancer Society of New Zealand is the leading organisation dedicated to reducing the incidence of cancer and ensuring the best cancer care for everyone in New Zealand. We are committed to providing leadership in cancer control, working with communities, and providing core services in health promotion, support, information and research. Please take a moment to look around our website. You can also contact our 0800 CANCER Helpline for information about Cancer, or find out more about our Support Services. |
|
|
|
|
Last Modified: Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:00 a.m.
For further information, click here ...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| protect yourself from the sun when around water |
Kiwis love to go to the beach or to get out on the water during summer – whether it’s for swimming, boating, fishing or jet skiing. What is not always recognised is that UVR levels, which are high to extreme in New Zealand during the daylight saving months, are intensified by reflection from water and even sand. This increases the risk of sunburn and eye damage. But there are safe ways to enjoy these activities!
The Cancer Society urges people to avoid being sunburned this summer, given that sunburn is associated with an increased risk of melanoma in later life. New Zealand has one of the world’s highest melanoma incidence rates, with over 1,800 new melanoma cases each year. There are also approximately 45,000 new nonmelanoma cases confirmed by laboratory tests every year. Skin cancer kills over 300 New Zealanders annually. Yet, it is largely preventable.
Dr Judith Galtry, the Cancer Society’s Skin Cancer Control Advisor, notes that, “Excess UVR is the cause of over 90 per cent of all skin cancers in high UVR environments like New Zealand. It also increases the risk of later eye damage, including cataracts. Around water, UVR intensity is much higher. It’s important to protect yourself and your family from the sun when at the beach, the pool or out on the water. Even sand reflects UVR with levels up to 15 to 18 percent higher than non-reflective surfaces. The intensity of the sun’s rays means that you will burn much more quickly, so it’s especially important to protect yourself during the daylight saving months, especially between 11am and 4pm.”
The Cancer Society’s three yearly survey of New Zealanders’ sun protection awareness and behaviour identifies that individuals involved in water based activities are among those most likely to report sunburn. Frequently, this occurs when people forget to cover up in the sun. The Cancer Society is trying to keep its sun-protection message simple. Avoid burning by:
• Wearing broad brimmed (>7.5cm) sunhats that protect the face, head, neck and ears
• Covering up with sun protective clothing (covering the neck, torso and ¾ of the limbs) and swimwear, such as rash vests, wetsuits and board shorts. Take a beach tent or large umbrella to provide local shade for you and your family
• Using and frequently reapplying a broad-spectrum SPF30+ sunscreen. Water resistant sunscreens are necessary for water sports but still need to be reapplied frequently
• Staying indoors or in the shade in the middle of the day, when the sun is most fierce. When choosing swimsuits, darker colours in a tightly woven fabric offer better protection but when wet, fabrics can lose up to 50 percent of the sun protection they offer. Choose a good fit: stretched fabric has reduced protection. Look for UPF (“clothing SPF”) above 30+ and preferably 50+.
Cover up with a sunhat, shirt or towel when out of the water and apply sunscreen 15-20 minutes before going for a swim. Zinc cream on nose, lips, cheeks and tips of the ears gives extra protection. Also wear sunglasses or UVR blocking goggles to reduce the glare.
Swimmers should also reapply sunscreen on dry skin after getting out of the water as a precaution. “You have to take into account, salt water, and sand,” Judith Galtry says. “Swimming, sweating, sitting on sand or rubbing yourself with a towel can all reduce the film of sunscreen protecting you from burning and reapplication is crucial yet often gets neglected. But remember to cover as much skin as possible with sunhats and clothing.”
For further information on sun protection, skin cancer and skin cancer statistics visit the Cancer Society of New Zealand website: www.cancernz.org.nz |
Published: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:00 a.m.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|