Be sun smart

THE Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and the Skin Cancer Foundation of South Africa (SCFSA) have teamed up to support the Be Sun Smart school programme aimed at installing sunscreen dispensers at schools, in a fight against skin cancer.

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in South Africa, and skin cancer rates in South Africa are among the highest in the world. With this being said, skin cancer is also one of the most preventable cancers. The most vital step to prevent skin cancer is to keep children protected from UV radiation while they’re outside especially between 10am and 2pm, as well as encouraging use of sun smart habits from an early age.

“Research shows that reducing childhood exposure to ultraviolet radiation is an important step to minimising lifetime skin cancer risk. Children are especially at risk of UV radiation exposure and more vulnerable to sun damage in a shorter space of time, because their skin is thinner than an adult’s and far more sensitive,” said Dr Marc Roscher of SCFSA, who has helped grow Be Sun Smart.

Dr Caradee Wright, who has published many research studies on child sun exposure and sun protection, stresses that schools have an important role to play in supporting children to make healthy sun choices.

“There is evidence that shows that interventions by schools at primary school level can reduce sunburn incidence and new melanocytic mole development. This means that the school environment can support healthy child sun exposure and reduce risk of skin cancer later in life. In South Africa, sun protection has not been a top priority for public schools because these schools have other pressing issues that take precedence,” said Wright.

Be Sun Smart was launched in KwaZulu-Natal last year by two concerned Durban mothers, Hayleigh Bott and Donna Short, in partnership with NIVEA Sun. NIVEA Sun brand manager, Mbali Sithole said: “NIVEA Sun has a responsibility to grow public awareness about sun protection and sun safety. The Be Sun Smart objectives are threefold. Firstly, to make sunscreen instantly accessible when and where it is needed most at schools, secondly, to make sun care part of children’s every day routine, and thirdly, to educate children on sun safety. What better place for children to learn sun smart habits than within the learning environment of their own school.”

With 37 schools signed up, and roughly 4 000 pupils getting UV protection at school through this programme, the initiative is gaining momentum.

Cara Noble, CANSA Durban and uThungulu, is in full support of the initiative providing educational materials for schools and providing informative talks to high school pupils, parents and teachers.

“Children and parents are not yet adequately prioritising sunscreen use and sun safety behaviour – and some teens still ‘tan’. Our role is to build an understanding of what children need to do to keep themselves protected from the risk of skin cancer.”

NIVEA Sun has developed a lovable character Ray the Penguin to help bring the sun smart message home for junior school children in a fun yet educational way. A two minute animated video clip was created and has gone viral, carrying the sun smart message.