Community pharmacies in Northern Ireland have started a public health campaign called 'Care in the Sun' to promote safe sun practices and highlight UV radiation risks. The initiative runs through April and May via the Living Well service in 500 pharmacies.

The campaign involves the Public Health Agency, Community Pharmacy NI, and Department of Health. Skin cancer represents over 31% of cancer diagnoses in the region, with about 4,000 annual cases. Malignant melanoma instances have increased from around 100 per year in the mid-1980s to more than 400 in recent years.

Health Improvement Manager Frances Dowds of the Public Health Agency noted that sunlight aids vitamin D production, bone health, blood pressure control, disease prevention, and mental well-being. She added that excessive UV exposure from sun or sunbeds damages skin and causes most skin cancers, with no safe sunbed exposure level. People with any sunbed use face a 20% higher melanoma risk.

UV levels peak in Northern Ireland from March to October. Protection becomes necessary at UV index 3 or above. Advice includes seeking shade from 11am to 3pm, wearing loose clothing, broad hats, and CE-marked sunglasses, plus applying SPF 30+ sunscreen with 4-5 star UVA rating.

Further steps cover keeping babies under six months from direct sun, using six teaspoons of sunscreen for full body 30 minutes before outdoor time and reapplying every two hours, skipping sunbeds, and monthly skin checks for mole changes.

Health Improvement Manager Naomi Thompson of Cancer Focus NI stressed applying these measures at home and abroad. She identified higher risks for babies, children, fair-skinned or haired people, outdoor workers, and those with family skin cancer history. Childhood sunburn doubles lifetime melanoma risk.

Pharmacist Garth Newberry said pharmacies assist with skin protection, sun exposure treatments, mole issues, sun-sensitizing medications, and skin cancer prevention or early detection discussions.