Did you know that today is the start of Melanoma Awareness Month?

Right, so it may look like we’re in the middle of monsoon season right now what with all the rain, but we’re actually inching towards the start of the Irish summer. And summer, for the most part, means sun. Therefore it’s important that you know how to protect yourself.

As well as marking the start of a new month (and hopefully the return of decent weather) today, May 1st, also marks the beginning of Melanoma Awareness Month.

Did you know that 1 in 8 Irish men will get skin cancer before they reach their mid-seventies? And did you know that despite this fact, almost half of Irish men still don’t wear any sun protection?

Melanoma Awareness Month is a global health initiative, supported by La Roche-Posay, which promotes the early detection and prevention of skin cancer.

Why is this important? Well skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Ireland today, and unfortunately, Irish men are the ones who are most at risk of developing it.

Just one bad sunburn can actually double your chances of developing melanoma later in life, and it doesn’t matter what age group you fall into – everyone is at risk. In fact there’s been a 41 per cent increase in cases of skin cancer in Ireland over the past ten years.

So how can you protect yourself? Regularly check your skin for any changes such as new lumps, growths or changes to any existing moles you have. These changes, however subtle, could be important warning signs of early-onset skin cancer and a quick detection is absolutely essential for a successful treatment.

Also, always wear sunscreen. Always. The five minutes that you take to cover yourself with sunscreen could end up saving your life.

Melanoma is an awful disease that continues to rise rapidly in Ireland. Be smart. Be safe. Be protected. And above all else, take the steps needed to save your skin.

For more information visit the Save Our Skin website. For every person who joins the cause, La Roche-Posay will make a donation on your behalf to the Melanoma Trust. You can also join the cause by visiting the Save Our Skin Facebook page.