Did you know: the most common cancer in Ireland is skin cancer with just over 8000 new cases diagnosed in 2008. 90 per cent of all skin cancers are preventable. Virtually all the risk comes from the sun and sun beds. Up to 80 per cent of the sun damage we receive is before the age of 20, so protection in children is vital. In Ireland, one in every eight men and one in every ten women will develop skin cancer by the age of 74 years. 66 per cent of Irish people have a higher risk of developing Skin Cancer because of their skin type. (Source: NCRI and www.cancer.ie/sunsmart)
La Roche-Posay, skincare expert and partner to more than 25,000 dermatologists worldwide, launched May 2010 Melanoma Awareness Month to address the increasing problem of skin cancer in Ireland with the support of the Department of Health.
Melanoma Awareness Month is a pan-European initiative to promote the early detection and prevention of skin cancer. In Ireland, La Roche-Posay is driving the month long awareness campaign, alongside the Irish Cancer Society, Dr Patrick Ormond Consultant Dermatologist, as well as the Melanoma Trust. Also Eccles Private Clinic in association with the Mater Private Hospital who are offering free Specialist Diagnostic and Surgical Support. It is a nationwide campaign being promoted in Dermatologist’s rooms, Dermatology departments, GP surgeries and pharmacies encouraging members of the public to get their moles/suspicious legions checked and adopt safe behaviour in the sun.
Melanoma Awareness Month was launched in the Mansion House Dublin with the Minister for Health announcing the awareness campaign and the department’s support to raise awareness to prevent the increasing problem of skin cancer in Ireland. At the launch, Minister Harney stated: “Many Irish people with their pale skin are particularly prone to skin cancer and around 650 people here are diagnosed each year with melanoma skin cancer. Even though this cancer is so preventable, its incidence is rising. Better awareness of the risks of sun exposure and indeed sunbeds is obviously hugely important in combating this cancer and I am very pleased that so many groups are coming together in support of Melanoma Awareness Month.”
Research has indicated that Melanoma will continue to rapidly rise in Ireland and we could see a trebling of malignant melanoma rates over the next 30 years with people being diagnosed at a progressively younger age. These committed parties, together with the backing of the Department of Health, could help to prevent these increased figures.
www.myskincheck.ie is a public health website dedicated to the early screening of skin cancer. It enables each individual to learn more about skin cancer, safety in the sun and to diagnose their personal risk level, self-check moles and mole map. It is a tool to support dermatologists in their effort to educate the wider public.
La Roche-Posay is urging the Irish public to look out for new lumps, growths or changes to existing moles, and also to be vigilant about monitoring moles in general. All details and pictures for reference are available on www.myskincheck.ie and any observed changes of moles should be discussed with a dermatologist or GP without delay. These may be the early signs of skin cancer and early detection is vital for successful treatment.
