Staying Safe in the Sun

So today we FINALLY got some sun after months of broken promises from the various weather channels.  Now I can go full speed ahead with waxing worry and pedicure panic to ensure I’m summer ready.  However, another essential element of summer preparation is sun protection.  I do think, being a Brit, it’s quite easy to take a half-hearted approach to sun protection as we see so little of the sun, and when it does make an appearance it rarely feels as if it’s capable of doing much damage, not just because it tends to only appear for a few days here and there.

According to AXA PPP healthcare, in 2011 900 young Brits were diagnosed with malignant melanoma (when a mole develops into skin cancer) which equates to two people a day being diagnosed with this type of cancer, making it the second most common cancer in 15-34 year olds.  I do believe that a lot of people don’t realise just how quickly and easily a melanoma can develop, which is why AXA PP have decided to help by involving a medical expert for a live chat on Tuesday 29th May between 3pm and 5pm.

AXA PPP have recently launched an online Cancer Centre which offers help, support and guidance to those suffering from cancer.  I’m a massive fan of anything that is freely available to support cancer sufferers as when my father was diagnosed with throat cancer 2 years ago, he relied heavily on online forums and support sites to help him through the experience and in contrast, my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 16 years ago when the internet wasn’t as easily accessible, so she had to rely on meeting other cancer sufferers on the off chance and as a consequence often felt very isolated.  The internet is an incredible support system for cancer sufferers and the fact that AXA PPP have produced a centre specifically aimed at encouraging and informing those who are battling the disease is fantastic.

The live chat will be held at the Cancer Centre with Professor Nicholas S A Stuart.  Professor Stuart is Professor of Cancer Studies at Bangor University and honorary consultant medical oncologist. He was appointed to his current post in 2001.  His main research interests are in clinical research into the assessment and development of new anti-cancer drugs and the assessment of the effects of chemotherapy.

I do think that sunscreen itself can be a bit confusing; mainly regarding what SPF I should be using and how I should be using it.  Therefore, here’s some information from AXA PPP’s feature How to protect your skin from sun damage regarding sunscreen usage:

What?

We should be using a broad spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15.

When?

On clean dry skin, ideally before any other skincare products.  We need to reapply regularly, especially if we’ve been swimming.  

How much?  

Two teaspoons full of sunscreen is enough to cover the arms, face and neck and two tablespoons is enough for the rest of the body.  

More tips, suggestions, guides and features regarding sun-protection are available here.

So if you have any burning questions (yes, I went there) regarding using the right sunscreen, how to keep an eye on moles and sun-protection in general, the place to find these answers is at the AXA PPP live chat on Tuesday 29th May between 3pm and 5pm here.  However, if you can’t make it to the live chat, you can submit your questions in advance on AXA PPP’s Facebook or their Twitter page.