Ban the tan, says CANSA

Tuesday, 30 November 2010 17:13

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Ban the Tan this summer

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) urges all South Africans to act responsibly while enjoying a holiday in the sun.

Skin cancer can be prevented  make sure you and your loved ones play safe all year round, but especially in summer time when the suns rays are the harshest. Children and the youth should take special precaution  two blistering burns before the age of 18 can dramatically increase your risk of getting cancer later in life, says Sue Janse van Rensburg, CANSAs CEO.

It was inevitable that the advertising market saw the appeal of bronze and shiny bodies and started flooding magazine pages with alluring images of sun gods and goddesses. But just like the stories of these sun deities, the notion of a 'healthy tan' is nothing more than a myth. Unfortunately it was only over time that the hazards of this sun-bathing habit became noticeable.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in South Africa with about 20 000 reported cases every year and 700 deaths.*

CANSA recently purchased two FotoFinder dermoscope machines as part of their SunSmart campaign. FotoFinder dermoscope offers an all in one dermoscopic skin cancer screening and mole mapping, making it the imaging system of choice by thousands of dermatologists worldwide. The system automatically links digital dermoscopic images of moles to an overview image, making the identification and tracking of lesions easy.

Currently in use in the KZN and the Western Cape offices, these machines will complement the 'spot the spot' clinics at surrounding beach areas. Every client with suspicious skin damage will be referred for an intensive skin evaluation using the FotoFinder dermoscope.

Clicks is the main sponsor for CANSAs SunSmart campaign from November to February. The campaign includes talks, exhibitions, visits to schools, holiday resorts and beaches. Skin clinics are held at inland holiday destinations as well as on beaches where a dermatologist joins the CANSA staff and volunteers to examine members of the public on request.

CANSA plays an important watchdog role and encourages the public to make informed choices on selecting the right sun screen and protective clothing. Look out for sunscreen and apparel products with the CANSA Seal of Recognition (CSOR). CANSA also recently released its SunSmart audio CD aimed at children, parents and teachers. The CD contains 10 one-minute radio spots and covers the main themes of sun awareness and skin cancer  vital information for the December to January break.

Stop worshipping the sun and start respecting life.

* Statistics are based on the South African 2001 National Cancer Registry (NCR). Although the NCR is outdated and a pathology-based registry, resulting in under-reporting of many cancers, this is the only official verifiable South African data available at present.  

For more information, please contact Lucy Balona, Head: Marketing and Communication at CANSA or email: lbalona@cansa.org.za, call 011 616 7662 or cell: 082 459 5230.  Or visit www.cansa.org.za or call CANSA toll-free 0800 22 66 22, or email: info@cansa.org.za)

About CANSA
CANSA offers a unique integrated service to the public and all people affected by cancer. As a leading role-player in cancer research (R4,5 million spent annually), the scientific findings and knowledge gained from our research are used to realign our health programmes as well as strengthen our watchdog role to the greater benefit of the public.

CANSAs SunSmart programme aims to make the public aware of the importance of early detection of skin cancer to enable more effective treatment and a better chance of recovery. This is achieved by our cancer screening clinics.  During the last year, CANSA recorded 5 904 skin examinations to help detect skin cancer and reached 67 352 people through talks, exhibitions, screening patrols, pamphlets, posters and exhibitions.

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