The sun is shining.
Ireland is in the midst of a high temperature warning today (27 June) and we could hit 27/28 degrees on Friday too, meaning that it's more important than ever to get the Factor 50 out.
The solar UV index is classified as very high today and tomorrow so extra care is advised. Cancer charity Marie Keating Foundation has published information this afternoon advising Irish people how best to stay safe while the sun is beating down.
Liz Yeates, the CEO of the foundation noted: "When it comes to sunscreen in particular there is lots of misconceptions and a lack of understanding around what is considered safe. It is key that you look for a brand that offers both UVA and UVB protection and is rated five star."
Other advice included:
- Always wear sunscreen
- Wear protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses
- Choose a sunscreen with minimum SPF of 30 and that has good protection against UVA rays
- Never, ever use sunbeds
- Avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in Ireland, with over 11,000 new cases diagnosed in 2015. This number is expected to double by 2040. A 2018 study also found that Irish people were 14th-most susceptible to the disease globally.
