Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland.
If you have any concerns about your moles and want them checked. Just make an appointment with one of our experienced GP’s in either health centre. They will examine them for you and if necessary arrange a referral to a dermatologist.
Get to know your skin
Links:
Early Detection of Skin Cancer
Early detection of skin cancer can lead to successful treatment. Watch out for any change in colour, size or shape of a mole or freckle. Remember your A-B-C-D-E:
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ABCDE METHOD |
MELANOMA |
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ASYMMETRY: A line in the middle would not create matching halves. |
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BORDER: Irregular, wavy, jagged border, clearly defined against surrounding skin. |
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COLOUR: Uneven colour: light brown to black. |
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DIAMETER: > 6mm. |
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EVOLUTION: Rapid evolution of size (width), colour or thickness. |
Cover up
Clothing is a physical sunscreen that doesn’t wear off or wash off. The more skin that is covered by clothing, the better the protection. Hats can provide excellent protection for your face, neck and ears. Darker colours give more protection from ultraviolet radiation.
Wear sunscreen
Make sure it is a broad-spectrum sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Put sunscreen on 20 minutes before you go out into the sun. Put on more sunscreen every two hours. Put it on more often if you have been swimming or sweating.
Stay in the shade
Staying in the shade is one of the most effective ways of reducing exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Any shade will do. It can be from a building or a portable umbrella. Plan your outdoor activities to avoid exposure to ultraviolet radiation when it is at its highest, between 11am and 3pm.
Protect your eyes - wear sunglasses
The colour or darkness of the lens does not indicate the level of protection. Look at the label and check that it has BS Standard (BS 27 24 19 87) or European Standard (EN 1836).
Avoid sunbeds and sunlamps
Sunbeds and sunlamps increase your risk of skin cancer. If you want to protect your skin, don’t use them.