The fight against skin cancer starts at school

Ray the penguin, Nivea Sun’s mascot, has been visiting schools around the province, including Crawford North Coast Pre-Primary to teach kids to “Be Sun Smart”.

Nivea Sun gets behind “Be Sun Smart” which is paving the way to reducing lifetime skin cancer risks of school-goers with 90 registered schools and roughly 24 000 pupils receiving sun protection and sun safety education.

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.

Nivea Sun Brand Manager, Shayna Amaidas explained, “As the world number 1 sun care brand in South Africa, Nivea Sun has a responsibility to grow public awareness about sun protection and sun safety.

The Be Sun Smart programme, launched in KwaZulu-Natal three years ago, aims to make sunscreen instantly accessible when and where it is needed most at schools.

“We aim to make sun care part of children’s every day routine and 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?” said Amaidas.

The programme was initiated by two concerned Durban mothers, Hayleigh Bott and Donna Short, who joined forces with NIVEA Sun to lead the fight against skin cancer at KwaZulu-Natal schools. The programme is also endorsed by Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA).

“Schools are able to register for Be Sun Smart for as little as R300 and will receive two Nivea Sun Protect and Moisture SPF 50+ Trigger Sprays and dispensers to install at strategic sites such as the playground, sports field or swimming pool.

The school can then purchase more sunscreen at R150 per bottle, which will be replenished and delivered at no cost, explains Donna Short of Be Sun Smart.

Every child should have access to effective sun protection at school. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure during the school years contributes significantly to total lifetime sun exposure.

Many school grounds lack the adequately shaded areas needed to limit UV exposure.

During a school day, it’s not unusual for children to receive a significant amount of sun exposure. Children in elementary school typically have outdoor break or play sport between 10am and 3pm, a time when the sun is especially intense.

“Regardless of age and skin colour, every child should be taught to adopt a complete sun protection regimen. Research shows that reducing childhood exposure to ultraviolet radiation is an important step to minimising lifetime skin cancer risk,” said Cara Noble, KZN Divisional Manager Services Delivery, Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA).

Parents, caregivers and teachers should have a vested interest in teaching children to form healthy sun safety habits for life, and should also lead by example.

“Education is also key to the success of the campaign,” said Amaidas.

This year Be Sun Smart, together with a CANSA representative, will take a special UV camera to senior primary and high schools registered with the programme.

Using a UV light and camera application, children can see the freckles and sun spots that lie beneath the surface of their skin, which is usually invisible to the human eye.

The camera also shows the protective film formed by the sunscreen which keeps their skin safely protected from the sun.

The adorable Ray the Penguin, NIVEA Sun’s mascot, will also be visiting pre-schools and junior schools for a sun smart story time.

A humorous, entertaining story has been crafted, with brightly animated pictures, taking children on a journey to the beach with the story’s main characters, Ben and Sam, to learn about the dangers of the sun and how to be sun smart.

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