102 HEALTH MATTERS cancer aWareness
SUNBEDS (ARTIFICIAL UVR) Dr Laffoy stresses that it is now proven that “sunbeds cause skin cancer. While there are no differences in the physical and biological properties of natural and artificial UVR, there are several additional health risks associated with sunbeds.” “Overall, UVA doses received by regular indoor tanning for a half-hour session may be up to about five times those received from the sun. In addition, sunbed lamps may sometimes be incorrectly replaced, or filters may be broken, or timers may fail, leading on occasion to severe localised or generalised skin burning, sometimes even causing death, or permanent localised scarring. “Like natural sunlight, sunbeds emit both
UVA and UVB. UVB is more biologically active than UVA and penetrates the upper layers of the skin. It is the main cause of sunburn and skin cancer. In recent years, sunbeds have been manufactured to emit higher levels of UVB to speed up the tanning process, i.e. ‘fast tanning’, and
hence have become more damaging. Effective primary prevention interventions should be sustainable, long-term, multi- dimensional, multi-agency and targeted. Primary school children, outdoor workers and outdoor recreational settings are a priority for intervention.
On that basis, the NCCP is initiating co- operative working with several key groups representing outdoor workers, with a view to devising and delivering key preventive messages. “Quite simply we are urging people who do work outdoors – painters, decorators, builders, farmers – to cover up, wear a wide brimmed hat, use sun screen and where possible refrain from being in direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm,” says Dr Laffoy.
The NCCP is also targeting parents and younger children to remind them of the importance of prevention in the younger years. “We know that parents are more cautious and more aware of the dangers now, but when you consider the
anticipated increase of over 90 per cent in the incidence of skin cancers over the next ten years, it is the younger generation who need to be protected because of the impact of the sun on their skin. Equally, we want to educate our young people at an early age so they are sun-smart and can live that message in later life.” “Our message to parents and carers for young children is clear and simple: seek shade where possible during 11am and 3pm; cover up, wear a hat that covers the head preferably with a wide brim and wear sun screen with a minimum of SPF 15.” The NCCP is currently finalising GP referral guidelines for skin cancer. A baseline audit of current skin cancer services is being undertaken with a view to developing a network of pigmented lesion clinics.
FITZPATRICK SKIN CLASSIFICATION SCALE A person’s skin type is genetically determined and it cannot be changed. The Fitzpatrick Classification of skin type was developed in 1975. The scale classifies a person’s complexion and their tolerance of sunlight. It allows for a common sense approach to self-protection. Over 75 per cent of the Irish population is either ‘skin type I or II’.
Skin phototype I II III IV V VI Skin colour
White; very fair; red or blond hair; blue eyes; freckles
White; fair; red or blond hair; blue, hazel or green eyes
Cream white; fair with any eye or hair colour
Brown; typical Mediterranean caucasian skin
Dark Brown; mid-eastern skin types Black Sunburn susceptibility Classes of individuals Always burns; Never tans Melano-compromised Usually burns; Tans with difficulty
Sometimes mild burn; Gradually tans
Rarely burns, Tans with ease
Very rarely burns, Tans very easily
Never burns; Tans very easily Melano-competent Melano-competent Melano-protected Melano-protected 19.7 4.3 0.3 0.1 Melano-compromised % Irish Population 26 49.6
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124