To speak to a specialist cancer nurse,
freefone the National Cancer Helpline
1800 200 700
Mon—Thurs 9am—7pm Fri 9am—5pm
To speak to a specialist cancer nurse,
freefone the National Cancer Helpline
Mon—Thurs 9am—7pm Fri 9am—5pm
Prevention is better than cure. To protect your skin from UV damage that can lead to skin cancer follow the four tips of the SunSmart Code:
One of the simplest things you can do to protect your skin from UV rays is to cover it with clothes.
Make sure it gives shade to the face, neck and ears. A baseball hat is not ideal as it does not give enough shade. Good examples are a bucket or legionnaire style hat.

Make sure to pack a bucket or legionnaire hat - it's a lifesaver!
When in Ireland UV rays are at their strongest between 11am and 3pm.
Plan your day so that you know you will be able to go into the shade, especially between those times. This may mean using natural shade or bring something with you, such as a big umbrella, to meet that need.
The eyes can be damaged by UV rays and this damage can lead to a number of problems including cancer. For this reason it is important to protect your eyes from UV rays. This applies to children as well as adults. A few things to keep in mind about the sunglasses you choose:
Because UV rays tend to bounce around the sky as they hit water particles and dust in the air it is a good idea to choose wrap-around glasses. This helps protect your eyes from UV rays that come from the side.
Make sure the sunglasses you choose give 100% UV protection. You will see a label or sticker on the glasses with this information.
Using sunscreen alone will not give enough protection against UV radiation. It is important to use all elements of the SunSmart code to protect your skin when outdoors.

Put sunscreen on dry skin 20 minutes before going outside.
Reapply!
Find out how SunSmart you need to be today - go to the UV Index for the latest UV information from around Ireland.
While skin cancer is rare in children it is the most common cancer in 15-44yr olds in this country. Children and young people’s skin is more sensitive to UV damage and they tend to spend more time outdoors than adults.
Find out how to keep your babies and older children safe in the sun

We have four beautiful skincare hampers to give away! Please spend five minutes with our SunSmart Survey.

Check out the UV Index in your area:
You don't have to get sunburnt to get skin cancer, but it helps. Know your skin and protect it in four ways.

Charity registration number CHY5863 (Ireland)
Irish Cancer Society, 43/45 Northumberland Road, Dublin 4, Ireland. Tel +353 (0)1 2310 500